Computational Biologist (Boston)
Microbiome research today lives in two worlds. Assay-heavy labs build truth datasets but lack AI to model the complexity. AI teams build promising models on existing data, but can't understand causal mechanisms. We're working to narrow this gap. We're hiring a Computational Biologist to sit at the intersection of the wet lab and computational teams. You'll analyse proprietary multi-omic datasets generated in-house, run your own computational studies, and build the analytical foundations that feed directly into our AI platform. We're scaling our Boston screening platform and releasing a public foundation model this year. You're the person who makes our experimental output computationally actionable.
Relocation?
Yes
Compensation
$100k-120k, depending on experience, plus equity & benefits
Location
Boston
Reports To
Saif Ur-Rehman (Director, Data Engineering)
Responsibilities
Multi-omic data analysis and interpretation. You own the computational analysis of datasets generated by our wet lab (metagenomics, metabolomics, 16S), from QC and feature extraction through statistical analysis and biological interpretation.
Computational studies. You run your own proof-of-concept investigations: microbiome-compound interactions, community dynamics, predictive biomarkers. You're a scientist with hypotheses, not a technician with a task list.
Perturbation data quality. You own the validation layer between the bench and the models. Experimental drift, contamination, batch effects, protocol deviations: you catch them before they corrupt model training.
Reproducible analytical infrastructure. As methods mature, you convert ad hoc analyses into robust, documented, version-controlled pipelines that others can run and extend. Your workflows become the standard.
Wet-dry lab bridge. You partner with the wet lab team to design experiments with computational endpoints in mind, and with the data engineering and ML teams in London to ensure smooth data handoff.
Your Background
PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, microbial genomics, or a related quantitative life-science field; or MSc with 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
Hands-on experience analysing microbiome or multi-omic data (metagenomics, metabolomics, 16S) using common bioinformatics tools and pipelines, with strong programming skills in Python or R.
Track record of independent scientific work, demonstrated by publications, preprints, or equivalent outputs.
Ability to write clean, version-controlled, reproducible code; comfort with Git, Linux/command-line environments, and cloud computing basics.
Statistical rigor: multiple-hypothesis correction, compositional data analysis, batch effects. You know when a result is real vs. noise.
Experience working effectively in a startup or other fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.
Nice to Have
Experience building reproducible pipelines with Nextflow, Snakemake, or similar.
Familiarity with machine learning concepts and comfort collaborating with ML engineers on feature engineering or model evaluation.
Experience with metabolomics data processing or LC-MS-based workflows. (This is a significant focus area for us.)
Experience working closely with wet lab teams to co-design experiments with computational endpoints.
Contributions to open-source bioinformatics tools or community resources.
Why Join Outpost Bio?
You'll own real equity in what you build. We offer meaningful ISO stock options because we believe the people building this company should share in what it becomes. We want teammates who think like owners, and we structure compensation to reflect that.
Outstanding benefits. Full medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one (Outpost covers 100% of employee premiums). 401(k) with match. 25 days PTO plus your birthday off. Short- and long-term disability.
An ML Lab-in-the-loop. You'll run your own studies, publish findings, and see your analytical work feed directly into frontier ML models. The feedback loop between your analysis and the wet lab and AI platform is measured in days, not years: your data processing choices ripple through model performance, and you'll iterate together.
Small team, outsized reach. You're joining a small founding team backed by top-tier investors with deep connections across AI and Bio. The science you do here will directly shape how pharma and consumer companies understand molecule-microbiome interactions.
About Us
Outpost Bio pairs high-throughput functional assays of human-derived microbial communities with causal machine learning to build predictive models of microbiome-compound interactions. Unlike black-box approaches, our Lab-in-the-Loop process tightly couples experimental design and AI development, so the models inform the science and the science informs the models. We generate large-scale perturbation datasets using stool-derived communities (SDCs) and multi-omic measurements, then train frontier models that predict metabolism, toxicity, and response at the community level. Headquartered in Boston and London, backed by Seedcamp, Merantix, Defined, and Openseed VC.
Scientist, Microbiome
Microbiome research today lives in two worlds. Assay-heavy labs build truth datasets but lack AI to model the complexity. AI teams build promising models on existing data, but can't test causal mechanisms. We're working to narrow this gap. We are hiring a scientist to drive the wet-lab workstreams that generate the proprietary datasets behind our platform. You will execute stool-derived community culturing and anaerobic screening workflows that provide high-quality data to our models in the near term and chart new experiments beyond.
Relocation?
Yes
Compensation
$90k-$110k, depending on experience, plus equity & benefits
Location
Boston
Reports To
Heidi Arjes (VP, R&D)
Responsibilities
Lead screening workstreams for stool-derived communities, including reliable anaerobic culture execution, sample handling, and day-to-day operations and experimental delivery.
Champion data quality and reproducibility across the pipeline, from sample intake through QC checkpoints, documentation, and downstream data handoff.
Continuously elevate core protocols by troubleshooting, optimizing parameters, and translating successful approaches into robust, scalable SOPs.
Drive experimental insight for microbiome–compound interaction studies, clearly communicating results, surfacing failure modes, and proposing actionable next steps.
Safe and disciplined execution under BSL-2 and anaerobic handling requirements, with rigorous sample tracking and protocol adherence.
Your Background
PhD in microbiology, microbiome science, molecular biology, or a related field; or MSc/BSc with 3+/5+ years industry experience in microbiology or microbiome workflows.
Hands-on experience culturing diverse microbes and standardizing/troubleshooting for optimal microbial growth.
Experience generating reproducible experimental data with clear QC and documentation, executing and troubleshooting assays/screening workflows/equipment
Working knowledge of at least one microbiome-relevant readout, such as 16S/metataxonomy, metagenomics, metabolomics, or LC-MS-based workflows.
You approach new challenges with curiosity, rigor, and adaptability, and are comfortable in a fast-moving, flexible environment.
Nice to Have
Experience optimizing or scaling high-throughput screening workflows and onboarding new equipment or optimizing new assays.
Experience culturing stool-derived anaerobes or stool-derived microbes under anaerobic and BSL-2 conditions.
Experience working closely with cross-functional teammates, especially computational, data science, or ML teams.
Experience working effectively in a startup or other fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.
Why Join Outpost Bio?
You'll be the first. You'll help build the experimental infrastructure from the start, influence the workflows, and shape how we generate the proprietary datasets that decode the human microbiome.
An ML Lab-in-the-loop. Every screen you execute feeds directly into Outpost's AI platform. You'll collaborate with our ML team in a tight feedback loop: your data improves the models, the models guide your next experiments.
You'll own real equity in what you build. We offer meaningful ISO stock options because we believe the people building this company should share in what it becomes. We want teammates who think like owners, and we structure compensation to reflect that.
Outstanding benefits. Full medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one (Outpost covers 100% of employee premiums). 401(k) with match. 25 days PTO plus your birthday off. Short- and long-term disability, and commuter benefits.
Small team, outsized reach. You're joining a small founding team backed by top-tier investors with deep connections across AI and Bio. The science you do here will directly shape how pharma/consumer companies understand molecule<>microbiome interactions.
About Us
Outpost Bio pairs high-throughput functional assays of human-derived microbial communities with causal machine learning to build predictive models of microbiome-compound interactions. We generate large-scale perturbation datasets using stool-derived communities (SDCs) and multi-omic measurements, then train frontier models that predict metabolism, toxicity, and response at the community level. Headquartered in Boston and London, we’re building the team to create a category-defining platform that transforms R&D.
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