Research Associate (Molecular Biology / Protein engineering)

Location

Lausanne

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Biology

Overview

Adaptyv is building an automated lab that lets AI agents run biology experiments. 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.

Today, over 50 companies are already running their wet lab experiments on Adaptyv, ranging from some of the biggest biopharmas, to frontier AI labs to dozens of techbio startups.

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.

We’re growing rapidly and are hiring for talented people to scale and support the massive demand for AI-driven wet lab experimentation.

About The Role

You'll work in our biology & production team running protein expression, DNA assembly, and characterization workflows.

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).

Responsibilities

• Run protein expression workflows: cell‑free (PURE, lysate‑based), E. coli, and potentially mammalian systems.
• Execute DNA synthesis and assembly protocols at high throughput: PCR, Golden Gate, Gibson.
• Run binding and characterization assays: BLI, SPR, thermostability, enzyme activity, developability assays.
• Troubleshoot when proteins don't express, misfold, or aggregate.
• Prepare reagents, manage samples, and track experiments in LabOS.
• Analyze experimental data: expression gels, chromatograms, binding curves.
• Work with the automation team to adapt bench protocols for robotic workflows.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Practical molecular biology skills: PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification. Hands‑on bench time matters more than the degree.
• Protein expression experience. You have expressed recombinant proteins in at least one system and understand the basics.
• Experience with DNA assembly methods (Golden Gate, Gibson, restriction cloning). High‑throughput experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with biophysical and analytical characterization techniques: BLI, SPR, plate reader assays, nanoDSF, HPLC-SEC, CE-SDS. You should have hands‑on experience with at least a few.
• Comfortable scripting in Python or similar. You should be able to write a script to parse data, generate plate maps, or automate a repetitive task on a liquid handler.
• Organized and precise. Hundreds of constructs per week means you track everything and follow protocols exactly.
• Strong work ethic. Experiments don't always finish at 6pm.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced environment where priorities shift and you figure things out yourself.

Application Deadline

We are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.