Robotics & Lab Automation Intern

Vale Biolabs; Schlieren; Vor Ort; CHF 13.000 - 20.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Paid internship position

Ownership of real robotic systems

Freedom to develop automation tech

Close collaboration with founding team

Fast iteration on hardware and软件

Direct testing on real workflows

Exposure to robotics, AI, biotech

Flexible workload 60-100%

Early technical responsibility

Zusammenfassung

Vale Biolabs is seeking a Robotics & Lab Automation Intern to develop autonomous workflows for handling and imaging culture plates. You will work on in-house automation spanning robotic manipulation, machine vision, hardware integration, and system validation, with scope to focus on software or mechanical development depending on strengths.

You will collaborate with the automation lead and data scientists to ensure high-quality biological data.

Qualifikationen

• Enrolled in or completed MSc in robotics, mechanical, electrical engineering, computer science, or related field at ETH Zurich or comparable university.
• Hands-on experience building robotic or automated systems.
• Experience with at least one of: robotics software and computer vision; or CAD, mechanical design, and mechatronics.
• Comfortable working with physical hardware and debugging complete systems.
• Able to work independently and rapidly turn ideas into functional prototypes.
• Experience with Python, C++, ROS, OpenCV, or PyTorch is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Develop autonomous workflows for handling and imaging multi-well plates.
• Implement computer vision for plate, well, and sample detection and localization.
• Integrate cameras, motors, sensors, and actuators into the robotic platform.
• Design and improve mechanical components, fixtures, and positioning systems.
• Develop and deploy robotics software on the physical system.
• Improve positioning accuracy, repeatability, and robustness.
• Build and test new prototypes and automation modules.
• Validate complete workflows on real biological experiments.

Kenntnisse

Robotics software

Computer vision

Python

C++

ROS

OpenCV

PyTorch

Independent work

Hardware debugging

Automation concepts

Ausbildung

MSc in robotics or related field (ETH Zurich or comparable)

Tools

CAD

3D printing

Mechatronics

Motors & actuators

Jobbeschreibung

Vale Biolabs is building an automated platform to culture, image, and analyze human stem cells at scale. We combine robotics, computer vision, and data science to generate reproducible datasets for drug discovery and development.

We are a fast-growing, interdisciplinary team working at the intersection of biotechnology, automation, and artificial intelligence.

The role

We are looking for a Robotics & Lab Automation Intern to develop the robotic systems used to autonomously manipulate and image culture plates.

You will work directly on our in-house automation platform, spanning robotic manipulation, machine vision, hardware integration, and system validation. Depending on your strengths, you may focus more on software and perception or on mechanical and mechatronic development, while contributing to the complete robotic system.

You will work closely with our automation lead to develop and deploy new automation capabilities, and with our founding scientist and data scientist to ensure the system generates high-quality biological data.

What you’ll do

• Develop autonomous workflows for handling and imaging multi-well plates.


• Implement computer vision for plate, well, and sample detection and localization.


• Integrate cameras, motors, sensors, and actuators into the robotic platform.


• Design and improve mechanical components, fixtures, and positioning systems.


• Develop and deploy robotics software on the physical system.


• Improve positioning accuracy, repeatability, and robustness.


• Build and test new prototypes and automation modules.


• Validate complete workflows on real biological experiments.

Who you are

• You are enrolled in or have completed an MSc in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field at ETH Zurich or a comparable university.


• You have hands‑on experience building robotic or automated systems.


• You have strong skills in at least one of:


• robotics software and computer vision; or


• CAD, mechanical design, and mechatronics.


• You are comfortable working with physical hardware and debugging complete systems.


• You work independently and enjoy rapidly turning ideas into functional prototypes.

Experience with the following is a plus:

• Python, C++, ROS, OpenCV, or PyTorch.


• CAD, 3D printing and mechanical prototyping.


• Motors, linear stages, sensors, cameras, and microcontrollers.


• Laboratory automation, microscopy, or biological imaging.

Previous experience in biology is not required.

What we offer

• Paid internship position.


• Ownership of real robotic systems from development to deployment.


• Freedom to develop and apply state-of-the-art automation technologies.


• Close collaboration with the founding team.


• Fast iteration on hardware and software in our laboratory.


• Direct testing on real biological workflows.


• Exposure to robotics, AI, biotechnology, and drug discovery.


• A flexible workload between 60% and 100%.


• Being among the first team members of a fast-growing deep-tech startup, with the opportunity to take on greater technical responsibility over time.