Automation Scientist Intern, RAC Operations
Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.
Summary
Ginkgo Bioworks is deploying a massive fleet of Reconfigurable Automation Cells (RACs)—modular, mobile robotic units that snap together like LEGOs to form an autonomous lab. We are looking for an Automation Scientist Intern to be the hands-on force behind this fleet. You will learn how to load, operate, take down, and troubleshoot protocol runs on the most advanced lab automation hardware in the world, pushing our "Nebula" frontier lab towards autonomous operation.
Job description
About the Role
Ginkgo Bioworks is deploying a massive fleet of Reconfigurable Automation Cells (RACs)—modular, mobile robotic units that snap together like LEGOs to form an autonomous lab. We are looking for an Automation Scientist Intern to be the hands-on force behind this fleet. You will learn how to load, operate, take down, and troubleshoot protocol runs on the most advanced lab automation hardware in the world, pushing our "Nebula" frontier lab towards autonomous operation.
Responsibilities
- Master the RAC Platform: Learn to operate and maintain a system of Reconfigurable Automation Cells, designed to support a variety of molecular and cell biology scientific workflows. You will queue and submit programmatically-generated protocols, remote monitor for errors and conduct remote and on-site error recovery, with the support of our Apex Support team. Over time, you will advance to modifying or writing new protocols for our RAC Automation system.
- Learn Biology: You will prepare and onboard reagents and consumables for upcoming molecular and cell biology scientific workflows, execute and monitor such workflows, and take down and offboard used plates from completed workflows. In the process, you will learn how to carefully handle and prepare reagents and consumables for workflows, do basic monitoring and error recovery of runs and safely dispose of used plates from completed workflows.
Preferred Qualifications
- No college degree necessary but some skills in coding, biology or computational biology required.
- "Automation-forward" mindset: you love working with lab automation and making robotic systems run smoother.
- Willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that existing and new scientific workflows run successfully on our RAC automation system.
Bonus (not required)
- Interest in communications, marketing, social media, and/or short form video
Requirements
- No college degree necessary but some skills in coding, biology or computational biology required
- "Automation-forward" mindset: love working with lab automation and making robotic systems run smoother
- Willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure scientific workflows run successfully on the RAC automation system
- Interest in communications, marketing, social media, and/or short form video (bonus, not required)
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Health Spending Accounts
- Voluntary Benefits
- Leave of Absence Policies
- 8 Paid Holidays
- Winter Shutdown
- Unlimited PTO
Company overview
Ginkgo Bioworks Inc. is a pioneering American biotechnology company founded in 2008 by five scientists from MIT, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company operates as a horizontal platform for cell programming, specializing in synthetic biology to design, develop, and optimize microorganisms for diverse industrial applications. Ginkgo's mission is to make biology easier to engineer by providing a comprehensive platform that enables partners across various industries to leverage biological engineering for commercial applications. The company's platform spans from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and materials, helping partners develop key ingredients for vaccines, sustainable agricultural solutions, plant-based alternatives, and next-generation materials. Ginkgo went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021 under the ticker symbol DNA and has established strategic partnerships with major companies including Bayer, Merck, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer. With advanced automation, AI integration, and extensive biological data capabilities, Ginkgo represents a new paradigm in biotechnology as a platform company rather than a traditional product-focused biotech firm.