---
title: "Scientific Problem Selection Skills"
type: skill
id: "knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/scientific-problem-selection"
category: "Research"
publisher: "Anthropic"
license: "Apache-2.0"
source: "https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins/tree/d900840"
canonical: "https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/scientific-problem-selection"
open_in_pho: "https://pho.chat/customize?item=knowledge-work-plugins%2Fbio-research%2Fscientific-problem-selection&utm_source=labs&utm_medium=skill-page&utm_campaign=skills-library"
---

# Scientific Problem Selection Skills

This skill should be used when scientists need help with research problem selection, project ideation, troubleshooting stuck projects, or strategic scientific decisions. Use this skill when users ask to pitch a new research idea, work through a project problem, evaluate project risks, plan research strategy, navigate decision trees, or get help choosing what scientific problem to work on. Typical requests include "I have an idea for a project", "I'm stuck on my research", "help me evaluate this project", "what should I work on", or "I need strategic advice about my research".

Source: Anthropic (Apache 2.0), copied at a pinned commit. Free to use. Part of the Phở Skills library (https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills).
Skill set: Bio research (https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research.md).

## What it covers
- Getting Started
- Option 1: Pitch an Idea
  - Initial Prompt
  - Response Approach
  - Follow-up Prompt
  - Workflow
- Option 2: Troubleshoot a Problem
  - Initial Prompt
  - Response Approach
  - Follow-up Prompt
  - Workflow
- Option 3: Ask a Strategic Question
  - Initial Prompt
  - Response Approach
  - Follow-up Prompt
  - Workflow
- Core Framework Concepts
  - The Central Insight
  - The Time Paradox
  - Evaluation Axes

## Other skills in this set
- [Instrument Data to Allotrope Converter](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/instrument-data-to-allotrope.md): Convert laboratory instrument output files (PDF, CSV, Excel, TXT) to Allotrope Simple Model (ASM) JSON format or flattened 2D CSV. Use this skill when scientists need to standardize instrument data…
- [nf-core Pipeline Deployment](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/nextflow-development.md): Run nf-core bioinformatics pipelines (rnaseq, sarek, atacseq) on sequencing data. Use when analyzing RNA-seq, WGS/WES, or ATAC-seq data—either local FASTQs or public datasets from GEO/SRA. Triggers…
- [scvi-tools Deep Learning Skill](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/scvi-tools.md): Deep learning for single-cell analysis using scvi-tools. This skill should be used when users need (1) data integration and batch correction with scVI/scANVI, (2) ATAC-seq analysis with PeakVI, (3)…
- [Single-Cell RNA-seq Quality Control](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/single-cell-rna-qc.md): Performs quality control on single-cell RNA-seq data (.h5ad or .h5 files) using scverse best practices with MAD-based filtering and comprehensive visualizations. Use when users request QC analysis…
- [Bio-Research Start](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/start.md): Set up your bio-research environment and explore available tools. Use when first getting oriented with the plugin, checking which literature, drug-discovery, or visualization MCP servers are…

## Use it
- In Phở: open https://pho.chat/customize?item=knowledge-work-plugins%2Fbio-research%2Fscientific-problem-selection&utm_source=labs&utm_medium=skill-page&utm_campaign=skills-library and press Try, or add it so Phở loads it whenever a request matches. Phở works with your own API key (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others).
- Full instructions (original SKILL.md, unchanged): https://labs.pho.chat/skills/raw/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/skills/scientific-problem-selection/SKILL.md
- Original files: https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins/tree/d900840 (Apache 2.0).
- Full machine-readable index: https://labs.pho.chat/skills.json