2027 PhD Resident - AI for Science (Lab Automation)

About us:
X is Alphabet’s moonshot factory. We are a diverse group of inventors and entrepreneurs who build and launch technologies that aim to improve the lives of millions, even billions, of people. Our goal: 10x impact on the world’s most intractable problems, not just 10% improvement. We approach projects that have the aspiration and riskiness of research with the speed and ambition of a startup.
About the team:
The Bio Design Kitchen (BioDK) is X’s state-of-the-art biology and chemistry lab that empowers Xers to tackle unique challenges to launch moonshots in biology and chemistry. Our team of resident scientists and engineers are experts at turning concepts into reality, whether it's rapid prototyping, in-house development, or brainstorming novel solutions.
About the role:
We are looking for an exceptional PhD student who has experience in applied ML, and high-level proficiency in programming to join our team for ∼6 months. The ideal candidate will also have hands-on wet lab experience in biology or chemistry and experience with automated liquid handling systems. You will be helping us develop and test models to control and orchestrate laboratory instruments and robotics. You should be familiar with concepts in machine learning, experienced with software development. Experience with hacking scientific equipment or communication protocols is a plus.
You will be a part of X’s Design Kitchen, a world-class team of builders and dreamers, and work closely with other groups involving the frontiers of machine learning. If you are motivated by making the world a radically better place through computation and biology, and want to be part of an inclusive team with diverse mindsets and backgrounds that makes this happen - then this might just be the role for you.
How you will make 10x impact:
Develop and maintain a shared python codebase for automating laboratory tasks such as liquid handling, automated measurements, data processing, and communications.
Develop methods to apply LLMs and agents to laboratory operations.
Able to iterate quickly and learn on the job
Contribute to experimental design and implementation
Work cross-functionally with experts in multiple disciplines at X and Google
Must be willing to work onsite five days a week
Details:
Location: X's headquarters in Mountain View, CA
Start Date(s): ~January 2027
Duration: a flexible 6 mo. to 1 year program based on project team needs and your availability
Throughout your Residency you can expect:
To be embedded into one of our confidential or public X projects
To get paid competitively and receive benefits
To be a part of a lively community of Interns and Residents
To attend tech-talks with Leaders from across X
What you should have:
Currently enrolled in a doctoral (PhD) program in AI, machine learning, chemistry, biology, mechanical engineering,, or a related field.
Experience with Python.
Experience with robotics systems, e.g. manipulators, liquid handlers, or similar.
Experience building workflows as part of a team.
Knowledge of research biology and chemistry laboratory practice.
Some indicators that you might thrive at X:
You have the potential to be an exceptional team member, and have relevant skills to contribute to an early stage machine learning-guided protein design moonshot. If you’re creative, collaborative, committed to our mission and think you can help us, let us know! The work will be challenging and requires navigating shifting landscapes, but gives the opportunity to truly shape a potential Alphabet-sized effort.
You are mission driven. You enjoy solving real, large problems that profoundly affect hundreds of millions of people.
Audacity, bravery and resiliency are values you embody. You shoot for the moon. You work on the hardest things first. You don’t expect things to succeed on the first try, you design thoughtful experiments and iterate.
You are biased to action and will “roll up your sleeves” to do whatever needs done for the team to succeed.
You are confident enough to challenge us and humble enough to challenge yourself. You are open to feeling uncomfortable and actively work on your own growth.
You believe that great teams, not great individuals make breakthroughs. You are self-aware and seek out people who compliment your strengths and shortcomings. You make hard decisions and invest in the growth of your team mates.
It’d be great if you also had these:
Experience with commercial laboratory automation equipment (e.g. Hamilton, Agilent Bravo, autosamplers)
Experience with instrument serial and TCP/IP communication standards, such as TCP/IP, serial, CAN
Experience building production software, algorithms and/or applications.
Experience using and developing code with pylabrobot
Experience working in a wet lab environment
Experience with microcontrollers (e.g. Raspberry Pi, ESP32, embedded systems) or PLCs
Understanding of modern synthetic biology workflows and analytical pipelines
Applied machine learning experience
Additional public information:
https://www.wired.com/video/watch/astro-teller-captain-of-moonshots-at-x-speaks-at-wired25
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-10-10/alphabet-x-s-astro-teller-on-bloomberg-studio-1-0-video
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/12/nx-s1-5493348/astro-teller-takes-us-inside-the-moonshot-factory-building-tech-ahead-of-its-time
https://time.com/collections/best-inventions-2024/7094574/x-taara/
https://youtu.be/_iLJU4HORAA?si=aK8cHf64NUNcsZXr
https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list/84
The US base salary range for this position is $109,000 - $157,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.