OPS Research Assistant – AI-driven Drug Discovery

Institution: University of Florida
College: University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Department: Medicinal Chemistry (32030000 – PH-MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY)
Location: Main Campus – Gainesville, Florida
Work Type: Temporary Part-Time (OPS)
Compensation: Starting at $15/hour (commensurate with education and experience)
Application Review Begins: January 25, 2025
Applications Close: August 31, 2026

Position Overview

The OPS Research Assistant will join the laboratory of Dr. Yanjun Li in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, focusing on AI-driven drug discovery.

The role centers on developing novel AI algorithms for protein, RNA, and small molecule modeling, training deep learning systems at scale, and contributing to translational computational drug discovery research.

This is an in-person position and not eligible for remote work.

Key Responsibilities

1️⃣ AI Algorithm Development

• Develop and prototype novel AI algorithms for drug discovery

• Model biological sequences and structures (protein, RNA, small molecules)

• Contribute to high-impact computational research initiatives

2️⃣ Deep Learning & Model Training

• Train and validate large-scale deep learning models

• Work with PyTorch and TensorFlow frameworks

• Optimize model performance for scientific applications

3️⃣ Data Engineering & Pipeline Development

• Develop optimized data pipelines

• Integrate public and proprietary datasets

• Support scalable model training workflows

4️⃣ Research Collaboration

• Collaborate with:

  • Principal Investigator

  • Computational biologists

  • Experimental biologists

  • Chemists

• Contribute to research publications and scientific manuscripts

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:

  • Computer Science

  • Electronic Engineering

  • Bioinformatics

  • Computational Biology

  • Computational Chemistry

  • Statistics

  • Data Science

  • Or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interest in AI-driven drug discovery and deep learning research

• Solid mathematics and statistics foundation

• Proficiency in:

  • Python or R

  • PyTorch

  • TensorFlow

• Demonstrated research experience in deep learning or computational biology

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Self-motivated, proactive, and deadline-driven

Benefits (OPS Eligibility Dependent on FTE)

• State-sponsored health insurance options (if ≥0.75 FTE)

• FICA Alternative Plan (401(a) with Fidelity Investments)

• Optional retirement savings plans

More information: hr.ufl.edu/benefits

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must upload:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Full CV (including all professional appointments, post-secondary education, and publications — no acronyms)

• List of three professional references