Automation Scientist: Protein & Display Tech, AI-Driven

Discover International; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Discover International in San Francisco is seeking an entrepreneurial scientist to build and scale molecular biology and experimental assay capabilities. This highly practical role blends molecular biology, protein science, experimental design and laboratory robotics to deliver automated workflows.

You will own new experimental methods, translate complex procedures into reproducible automation, and collaborate with engineers and data scientists to advance AI-enabled planning and high-throughput

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering or related field.
• Strong hands-on molecular biology experience (PCR, cell culture, DNA sequencing).
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Experience with high-throughput molecular display technologies (ribosome, mRNA, phage, etc.).
• Hands-on experience developing, scaling, or optimizing automation workflows.
• Familiarity with lab robotics and automated experimental systems.
• Experience applying computational tools or ML to scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimise and validate novel molecular biology and biochemical assays.
• Establish new experimental platforms including protein production and purification.
• Design and lead experimental programmes from hypothesis to execution and optimisation.
• Apply computational approaches and emerging AI tools to planning and analysis.
• Translate manual procedures into scalable, reproducible automated protocols.
• Identify barriers to automation and develop solutions for efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering and scientific teams to integrate new methods into automation.
• Document, standardise and transfer developed methods for wider adoption.

Skills

Molecular biology

PCR

Cell culture

DNA sequencing

Recombinant protein expression

Protein purification

Molecular display technologies

Laboratory automation

Liquid handling

Robotics

Computational tools

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology / Biochemistry / Bioengineering

Tools

Liquid handling robots

Automated lab systems

Job description

Discover International in San Francisco is seeking an entrepreneurial scientist to build and scale molecular biology and experimental assay capabilities. This highly practical role blends molecular biology, protein science, experimental design and laboratory robotics to deliver automated workflows.

You will own new experimental methods, translate complex procedures into reproducible automation, and collaborate with engineers and data scientists to advance AI-enabled planning and high-throughput