Job Title: Virtual Science Research Mentor, iResearch Institute 2026
Location: USA; REMOTE. Applicants MUST BE US citizens or Green Card Holders.
Regular/Contract: Contract, (pre-work is self-directed with an end date of March - April 2025) and June 22 - July 24, 2026 (daily, flexible hours)
- Are you passionate about science research and want to share your research project knowledge of machine learning, OMICS, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and/or data science with high-achieving young adults?
- Are you proficient in Python or R?
- Can you support the creation of a research project that could be publishable (after the program concludes)?
If you answered YES to the 3 questions above, apply to join the iResearch Corporation team!
iResearch Corporation, DBA iResearch Institute (iRI) - Founded to promote excellence and equity in science, the iResearch Corporation encompasses a variety of research-centric programs that seek to unlock the potential in every student researcher.
Job application:
iRI Program and Mentor/Fellow Description – Virtual Summer 2026
The iResearch Institute (iRI) program is an intense learning experience for national and international high school and early college students, 5-7 days/week. The iRI hosts talented students virtually with a prerequisite of computer science, biology, chemistry, or physics for data analysis and project completion for five (5) stimulating and academically challenging weeks. iRI combines theoretical course work (research papers review, research methods training, etc.) with virtual research methods application to enhance students' research abilities and prepare them for STEM competitions. Advanced high school and early college students work under the guidance of iRI fellows/contractors who are research mentors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Mentors are required to work an additional week to assess student work.
Mentors will create virtual laboratory spaces and provide coding tutorials to guide assigned mentees in research projects. Due to the short, rigorous nature of the program, mentors/research fellows should expect to prepare a Wiki of research project channels, assessments, and training materials to support those goals. The official iRI program start date is Monday, June 22nd, and the end date is July 31st. Two iRI Mentor meetings will be held before the iResearch Institute 2026 begins with the iRI director. Mentors will work the last week of June until the end of July (Mon. – Fri. and some weekends; for the entirety of the 6-week iRI program, with very flexible work hours).
Students will process BIG data (NIH, personal mentor research data collections, etc.) for their research projects as provided by the mentor. The mentors should prepare and review the literature associated with student projects and prepare a review of computer science programming for iRI program participants.
As a mentor, you will build the following experiences:
- Build a virtual data science and/or OMICS (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, bioinformatics, etc.) laboratory (guided by iRI) to create research projects and training modules and to assess the virtual research performance of a high school and early college audience.
- Prepare reading and supplementary material relevant to student projects
- Review computer science programming and statistics
- Create a series of Notion documents designed to create a data science/bioinformatics research template accessible to exceptional science high school students
Mentor responsibilities:
- Creation of the iRI Notion Wiki. This is considered pre-work and is self-directed with an end date of April 2026.
- 5 - 50 hours per week, depending on the desired number of participant mentees and availability (maximum of 10 mentees per mentor).
- The workload is approximated to 1.0 hour per mentee per day on an iRI Zoom platform, plus additional hours per week of meetings with other mentors & Dr. McCalla, TA help, Zoom meetings, emails, and logistical work.
- Design an independent Laboratory Wiki in Notion (background research and sample data sets, as outlined by iRI) before the beginning of the iRI program start date (~April 2026).
- Weekly lab group meetings occur on Zoom at a time mentor's discretion.
POSITION DETAILS
Education and Experience
- Enrolled in or graduated from an accredited university (Stanford, Harvard, Wash. U, Princeton, Cal Tech, Columbia, MIT, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, preferred) in a related science field, bioinformatics, OMICS, or data science leading to a bachelor’s, master’s degree, or postdoc in a science field with computer science/coding experience.
- The primary coding languages used in iRI are R and Python.
Minimum requirements:
- English is fluently spoken & written; any other language is an advantage.
- Can code in Python and/or R programming languages minimally.
- Proven leadership skills that inspire teams to push the boundaries to drive transformative changes in science research using BIG Data.
- 2+ years in scientific research, including:
Key skills
- Ability to build relationships, collaborate, and influence across a matrix organization.
- Administrative management skills – planning, organization, operational decision-making, and analysis.
- Creative thinker and passionate to influence the growth and expansion of a given science topic of interest, with a proven record of execution excellence.
- Demonstrated experience in working with others to achieve organizational objectives including the ability to anticipate and adapt, own, and/or work virtual lab group tactics
- Demonstrated strong skills in oral and written communication for research project management.
- Demonstrated prioritization, organizational, analytical, and research skills as well as the ability to conceptualize more complex issues and work on complex processes, procedures, or solutions within scientific research.
Preferred qualifications:
- Previous experience in high school research and/or high school research competitions.
- Prior experience working with students in high school and early college.
- Prior research publications.
- Experience in the strategy and/or planning of a science research project (e.g., research associate, postdoc, research assistant, etc.).
Compensation And Benefits
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
iResearch Institute is contractual and holds no health benefits, payment is the total compensation while supporting financial well-being and professional development as a primary research mentor for a virtual laboratory.
How To Apply
To apply, go to https://www.iresearchcorporation.com/irimentorapplication and complete the application.
OR
Select "Apply to be an iResearch Institute Mentor" at https://www.iresearchcorporation.com/ and provide the requested information.
In ONE document (DOC or PDF format), submit a complete curriculum vitae and contact information (names, emails, phone) for up to two (2) references. An optional letter of interest (up to 1000 words) outlining experience in research, teaching, and interest in science research training and education is encouraged.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract, Temporary
Pay: $3,000.00 - $10,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Are you a US Citizen or a Green Cardholder?
- How many years have you worked on publishable research projects (you can include collegiate years and post-doctoral years)?
Education:
Experience:
- Python or R: 2 years (Required)
- Scientific Research: 1 year (Required)
- Data science: 1 year (Required)
Language:
Work Location: Remote
