Remote Freelance Opportunity – Bioinformatics Subject Matter Expert (SME)

TELUS Digital AI Community

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About the role

We are seeking experienced Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to support the development of advanced evaluation content for next-generation AI systems.

This is expert scientific content creation, not data annotation or data labeling. You will apply your research expertise to analyze real biological datasets, solve complex computational biology problems, and develop technically rigorous evaluation tasks that measure AI reasoning capabilities.

This opportunity is ideal for researchers, postdoctoral scientists, industry professionals, and experienced bioinformaticians looking for flexible, remote freelance work.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze real biological and multi-omics datasets to create original technical challenges.
• Design complex, multi-step problem statements based on authentic research data.
• Select appropriate bioinformatics tools and analytical workflows to produce and validate a single, defensible solution.
• Write clear, self-contained technical content with objective and unambiguous grading criteria.
• Peer review and independently validate problems created by other SMEs to ensure scientific accuracy, difficulty, and reproducibility.
• Prepare datasets and supporting documentation in accordance with defined technical specifications.
• Contribute to the development of high-quality benchmarks used to evaluate advanced AI systems.

How to qualify

Required Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply.
• Minimum 3 years' hands-on experience conducting bioinformatics analyses using real experimental datasets (beyond coursework or tutorials).
• Strong experience with public bioinformatics databases and resources, including:
• NCBI
• Ensembl
• UCSC Genome Browser
• UniProt
• Bioconductor
• Proficiency in Python and/or R for scientific data analysis.
• Comfortable working in Linux and command-line environments.
• Excellent scientific and technical writing skills with the ability to create precise, structured, and unambiguous documentation.
• Previous experience writing technical documentation, SOPs, scientific protocols, examination content, or similar materials.

Technical Expertise

Applicants should have deep practical expertise in at least two to three of the following areas:

• Bulk RNA-Seq and differential expression analysis
• Single-cell genomics
• ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, and epigenomics
• Metagenomics and microbiome analysis
• Mass spectrometry and proteomics
• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), and variant analysis
• Phylogenetics and evolutionary genomics
• Developmental biology and time-series expression analysis

Essential Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following is highly desirable:

• Developing technical assessments, examination content, or scientific curriculum
• AI or machine learning evaluation, benchmark development, or training data creation
• Scientific peer review or quality assurance in academic or industry research

Engagement Details

• Contract Type: Freelance / Independent Contractor
• Location: Remote (Global)
• Commitment: Approximately 3 hours per day
• Schedule: Flexible, project-based
• Rate of Pay: $65 USD per hour
• Start Date: Subject to project requirements and availability

Please note that all applications will undergo an additional technical screening and qualification process following submission. Successful candidates will be engaged based on demonstrated expertise, assessment results, and project availability.

Service Rates

Compensation is based on tasks completed and project availability. Estimated earnings may vary depending on task volume and program requirements including, quality, and productivity, in accordance with the program's quality standards and guidelines.

Independent Contractor Relationship

This opportunity is offered on an independent contractor basis. Contributors have the flexibility to choose when and how much they work, subject to project availability and quality requirements. This opportunity is not and should not be construed as creating an employment relationship with TELUS Digital.

Frequently asked questions

What’s next in your application stages?

If this is your first time applying to TELUS Digital, you will receive an email requesting ID verification. Please complete this step promptly, as it is required to proceed with your application.

What does In review mean on your profile?

If your application is still In Review and you haven’t completed the ID verification, you will be contacted with a reminder to complete it. Additionally, make sure that your CV and all educational information are uploaded to your profile.

What does selected mean on your profile?

Congratulations! You have been selected to join our freelance expert pool based on your qualifications and domain expertise. Here’s what to expect: Our recruitment team may contact you with surveys for specific projects, both internal and client-based. These surveys often have short response windows, so it’s important to respond quickly. Prompt responses will ensure you receive detailed project information and the next steps from the recruitment team.

When your application is at selected stage?

Please note that all applications will undergo an additional technical screening and qualification process following submission. Successful candidates will be engaged based on demonstrated expertise, assessment results, and project availability.