About The Role
Autopoiesis Sciences is an applied AI lab based in San Francisco, California on a mission to accelerate scientific discovery across every discipline. We're building AI systems from first principles, developing novel architectures that combine calibrated confidence estimation with reinforcement learning from experimental outcomes. Our approach learns optimal research strategies directly from real-world scientific practice, training on experimental results, publication impact, and validated discoveries rather than static knowledge alone. By closing the loop between AI hypothesis generation and experimental validation, we're creating systems that know what they don't know and improve through ground truth from nature itself. Backed by Informed Ventures, Alpaca VC, Cross Atlantic Angels, Adam Grosser, Ally Warson, Mike Mahlkow, Hiro Mizushima, and others, we're preparing to release our systems to the research community. We invite you to join us in building the future of scientific intelligence.
Areas of Focus
- High-performance, responsive interfaces for complex AI interactions
- Real-time data visualization and scientific workflow presentation
- Cross-platform user experiences that feel native and intuitive
- Full-stack architecture connecting frontend experiences with backend AI systems
- API design and backend services supporting research workflows
- Component architecture for rapidly evolving product requirements
- Accessibility and internationalization at scale
- Performance optimization for data-intensive applications
- Design system development and implementation
Autopoiesis Sciences is seeking exceptional Software Engineer Interns to help build the systems through which researchers will interact with our AI platforms. As a Software Engineer Intern, you will contribute to both the interfaces and backend services that translate complex scientific AI capabilities into intuitive, powerful tools for the research community. You'll work on full-stack applications that surface AI-generated hypotheses, visualize experimental results, and enable researchers to collaborate with our systems in ways that amplify human scientific intuition.
While your work will be frontend-heavy, you'll also contribute to the backend services and APIs that power these experiences. You'll work on products that need to communicate uncertainty, present multi-dimensional data, and support workflows that don't yet exist in any established playbook. This internship offers the opportunity to help define what human-AI collaboration looks like in scientific research, building experiences that will be used by researchers pushing the boundaries of their fields.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement performant, accessible user interfaces using modern React and TypeScript
- Contribute to backend services and APIs that support frontend features and AI system integration
- Build cross-platform experiences that maintain consistency and quality across devices and contexts
- Help develop component libraries and design systems that scale with rapidly evolving product requirements
- Create data visualization solutions for complex scientific information, including uncertainty quantification and multi-dimensional results
- Optimize application performance across the full stack for real-time AI interactions and large dataset handling
- Collaborate with designers to translate research workflows into intuitive user experiences
- Work with ML engineers to design full-stack architectures that integrate seamlessly with AI backend systems
- Implement robust state management and data flow patterns for complex, asynchronous AI-driven workflows
- Contribute to testing infrastructure and maintain high code quality standards across the codebase
- Participate in technical decisions around tooling, architecture, and development practices
Qualifications
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
- Strong programming skills in TypeScript/JavaScript and experience with React
- Familiarity with backend development and API design (Node.js, Python, or similar)
- Understanding of modern frontend architecture patterns, state management, and component design
- Interest in or exposure to backend systems, databases, and service-oriented architectures
- Experience building responsive web applications
- Understanding of web performance optimization and best practices
- Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles
- Ability to write clean, maintainable code
- Familiarity with modern build tools, testing frameworks, and version control (Git)
Compensation and Benefits
- Duration: 3-6 month internship with potential for full-time conversion
- Mentorship from experienced engineers and researchers working on cutting-edge AI systems and scientific infrastructure
- Collaborate in building a thoughtful, mission-driven team culture focused on scientific discovery
- Frequent team events, dinners, off-sites, and gatherings
- Opportunity to work on groundbreaking technology with real-world impact on scientific research
- Compensation packages are variable based on experience, expertise, and contribution potential. If your expectations fall outside our stated range, we encourage you to apply regardless. The range for this internship is $6,000 USD - $10,000 USD per month
Get To Know Us
We're a dedicated team of scientists, researchers, and engineers who believe deeply in the transformative potential of our work. You'll work closely with our leadership team including Chief Executive Officer Joseph Reth (Attended University for CS at 14, former DARPA), Chief Business Officer Dr. Eike Gerhardt (University of Tübingen PhD, University of Tübingen staff), and Chief Scientist Dr. Larry Callahan (University of Chicago PhD, former FDA, former NIH).
Application Process: Due to the high volume of automated applications, we only accept applications through LinkedIn as it helps us connect with genuine candidates. We have systems in place to detect automated submissions and strongly advise against using bots or automated tools in your application process. Please be human in your approach.
Equal Opportunity: Autopoiesis Sciences, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristics.
