Research Associate, Molecular Biology

<p style="min-height:1.5em"><strong>Adaptyv is building an automated lab that lets AI agents run biology experiments. </strong></p><p style="min-height:1.5em">We're entering the era of agentic science where AI models can now design novel proteins, propose hypotheses, and iterate on experimental results. But they can't run the experiments themselves - that's still a manual, months-long process. We're building the infrastructure that gives AI agents access to the physical world.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">We are one of the fastest growing biotech companies, trusted by leading biopharmas, frontier AI labs, and the techbio companies pushing the field forward. This is a rare chance to help advance some of the most important work happening in biotech today.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">Our automated lab is powered by a deep software + hardware stack: lab instruments worth millions of USD reverse-engineered into API-controllable hardware, dozens of devices orchestrated through complex workflows, full observability on everything that happens in the lab, processing pipelines for messy physical-world data, and AI systems that troubleshoot production results and accelerate assay development.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">We’re growing rapidly and are hiring for talented people to scale and support the massive demand for AI-driven wet lab experimentation.</p><h2>About the Role</h2><p style="min-height:1.5em">You'll work in our biology &amp; production team running protein expression, DNA assembly, and characterization workflows.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">We run thousands of constructs per week across cell-free and cell-based expression systems, high-throughput DNA synthesis and assembly, and binding/stability characterization (BLI, SPR, enzymatic assays).</p><h2>What You'll Do</h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Run protein expression workflows: cell-free (PURE, lysate-based), E. coli, and potentially mammalian systems.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Execute DNA synthesis and assembly protocols at high throughput: PCR, Golden Gate, Gibson.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Run binding and characterization assays: BLI, SPR, thermostability, enzyme activity, developability assays.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Troubleshoot when proteins don't express, misfold, or aggregate.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Prepare reagents, manage samples, and track experiments in LabOS.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Analyze experimental data: expression gels, chromatograms, binding curves.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Work with the automation team to adapt bench protocols for robotic workflows.</p></li></ul><h2>What We're Looking For</h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">BSc / MSc in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a relevant field. Hands-on bench time matters more than the degree.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Practical molecular biology skills: PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification. You've done these yourself, not just read about them.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Protein expression experience. You've expressed recombinant proteins in at least one system and understand the basics.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Experience with DNA assembly methods (Golden Gate, Gibson, restriction cloning). High-throughput experience is a plus.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Familiarity with biophysical and analytical characterization techniques. We use BLI, SPR, plate reader assays, nanoDSF, HPLC-SEC, and CE-SDS. You don't need all of them, but you should have hands-on experience with at least a few.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Comfortable scripting in Python or similar. You don't need to be a software engineer, but you should be able to write a script to parse data, generate plate maps, or automate a repetitive analysis.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Organized and precise. Hundreds of constructs per week means you track everything and follow protocols exactly.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Strong work ethic. Experiments don't always finish at 6pm.</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Comfortable in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift and you figure things out yourself.</p></li></ul><h2>Details</h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em"><strong>Location:</strong> Lausanne, Switzerland (on-site)</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em"><strong>Type:</strong> Full time</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em"><strong>Start date:</strong> ASAP</p></li></ul><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><p style="min-height:1.5em"><strong>Application deadline</strong></p><p style="min-height:1.5em">We are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.</p><p>Find <a href="https://www.arbeitnow.ch">Jobs in Switzerland</a> on Arbeitnow</a>