Adaptyv
We're building fully automated labs for protein engineering
Intership Lab Automation
About the role
At Adaptyv, our high-throughput cloud lab enables protein designers to experimentally validate their proteins with the click of a button. We're building advanced molecular biology workflows, assay automation and software infrastructure to make it easy for our users to engineer better proteins. Since the launch of our beta access in June 2024 we've been growing rapidly and are now working with the fastest-moving protein design teams in the world , across tech bio startups, major AI companies and the biggest pharmas.
About the role
We are looking for a highly motivated Lab Automation Intern to help build and optimize autonomous protein engineering workflows in our high-throughput cloud lab. You’ll work at the intersection of biology, robotics, and software, integrating and automating lab devices to accelerate scientific discovery. If you love hacking together robots, liquid handlers, and custom scripts to make science move faster—this role is for you.
What You’ll Do
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Develop and implement protocols on automated liquid handling systems, focusing on DNA synthesis, assembly, protein expression, and in vitro assays.
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Integrate and optimize lab automation hardware, working with liquid handlers, robotic arms, plate readers, incubators, and more.
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Write Python scripts to control lab instruments, automate workflows, and connect devices to our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
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Reverse-engineer instrument APIs and communication protocols to improve device interoperability.
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Collaborate with biologists and engineers to bring new protocols online, troubleshoot issues, and improve automation reliability.
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Optimize and standardize pipetting workflows, ensuring precision and reproducibility across experiments.
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Prototype new hardware solutions, using 3D printing, basic electronics, and mechanical design to improve lab operations.
What We’re Looking For
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Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related field.
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Strong Python programming skills, with experience in automation scripting and API integration.
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Hands-on experience with liquid handlers (e.g., Hamilton, Opentrons, Echo) or other lab automation equipment is a big plus.
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Hacker mentality—you love figuring out how machines work and finding creative ways to optimize them.
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Familiarity with lab automation frameworks like PyHamilton, PyLabRobot, or similar is a plus.
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Experience with Git for version control and basic electronics/3D printing is a nice-to-have.
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Self-starter, hands-on, and able to quickly prototype and test automation solutions.
Application deadline
We are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.
About Adaptyv
Proteins are the most advanced nanotechnology we know of. At Adaptyv, our mission is to make proteins easier to engineer. We are building technologies that allow protein engineers to design and test new proteins in order to develop new medicines, better enzymes for research and industrial applications or functional materials with novel properties.
We believe that designed proteins will be at the core of the bio-revolution and radically change how we manufacture goods, treat aging & diseases and even how we think about applications such as computation and data storage. We want to unlock that potential and help advance humanity to a post-scarcity future.
