AI Tutor, Virology Specialist (Contract)

Employment Type: Contract Location Type: Remote

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Position Overview

At Handshake, we believe inclusive teams build the best technology. We're committed to fostering an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented or non-traditional paths to apply.

This is a contract remote position with variable time commitments. The services to be provided by the Contractor under this agreement are supplementary and not integral to Handshake’s primary business operations. The Contractor’s services are distinct and separate from the core business activities of Handshake.

As an AI Tutor, Virology Specialist, you will play a vital role in shaping how advanced AI models understand and communicate complex biological and biomedical concepts. Leveraging your deep knowledge of virology, molecular biology, and infectious disease, you’ll evaluate and improve AI-generated content to ensure scientific accuracy, conceptual clarity, and educational value. Your work will directly support the training of large language models (LLMs) used in biomedical research, healthcare, and academic tools.

This is a remote, contract position with flexible time commitments. The services you provide are supplementary to Handshake’s core business operations but play a critical role in advancing our AI innovation efforts.

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Responsibilities

• Use internal tools to review and refine AI-generated responses related to virology and related biomedical fields.
• Assess outputs for technical correctness, biological relevance, and clarity in areas such as viral replication, host-pathogen interaction, immunology, and epidemiology.
• Curate high-quality datasets used for training and fine-tuning AI models in life sciences.
• Identify model blind spots, edge cases, and inconsistent or misleading explanations in virology topics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional AI teams to improve content quality and knowledge alignment across the biological sciences domain.

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Requirements

• Education: PhD or MS in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or a closely related biomedical science.
  • Alternatively: 3+ years of professional experience in academic research, clinical virology, or public health with a strong emphasis on infectious diseases.
• Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of viral structure, life cycles, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and laboratory methods (e.g., PCR, ELISA, viral culture).
• Skills:
  • Strong written communication skills, especially for explaining scientific concepts clearly and accurately.
  • Ability to critically evaluate technical content and provide detailed, constructive feedback.
  • Comfortable working independently and navigating ambiguity in fast-evolving workflows.

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Bonus Expertise

• Publications in peer-reviewed virology, infectious disease, or biomedical journals.
• Teaching, tutoring, or curriculum development experience in biological sciences.
• Experience in public health data reporting, viral surveillance, or epidemiological modeling.
• Familiarity with LLMs, AI in healthcare, or biomedical NLP applications.
• Background in human-in-the-loop feedback systems or scientific annotation pipelines.

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Additional Requirements

• Available to work evenings or weekends as needed.
• Comfortable adapting to rapidly changing workflows and AI tools.
• Device: Personal device must support Windows 10 or macOS Big Sur 11.0 or later.
• Access: Reliable smartphone access for secure login and multi-factor authentication.

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Company Information

Handshake

• We believe inclusive teams build the best technology.
• We're committed to fostering an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
• We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented or non-traditional paths to apply.

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Location & Work Expectations

• 100% Remote
• No visa sponsorship available.
• Not hiring in Wyoming or Illinois at this time.

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Compensation

• Range: $55/hr – $100/hr
• We benchmark our compensation ranges against similar stage companies. Final compensation will be based on factors such as location, relevant experience, and skill alignment.