Automation Scientist – Protein & Display Technologies

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

Our client is an innovative and rapidly growing life sciences technology company developing solutions that make advanced molecular biology more accessible, efficient and scalable.

Its technology supports a broad international customer base spanning academic research institutions, biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical organisations. Following strong growth in its core technology offering, the business is investing in expanding its experimental capabilities and developing new approaches to high-throughput biological research.

A key part of this strategy is the integration of advanced laboratory automation, computational approaches and AI-enabled tools to accelerate experimental development and improve research productivity.

The company offers the opportunity to join a highly ambitious, multidisciplinary team at an exciting stage of its development.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an entrepreneurial and technically strong scientist to help establish and expand the company's molecular biology and experimental assay capabilities.

This is a highly practical, development-focused position combining molecular biology, protein science, experimental design and laboratory robotics.

You will take ownership of developing new experimental methods, introducing previously unavailable techniques and translating complex laboratory procedures into reliable, automated workflows.

Working closely with scientists, engineers and computational specialists, you will help build the experimental infrastructure required to support increasingly sophisticated research programmes.

This role will suit someone who enjoys working beyond established protocols, solving technically challenging problems and taking ideas from initial concept through to fully operational experimental systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimise and validate novel molecular biology and biochemical assays to support expanding research capabilities.
• Establish new experimental platforms, including recombinant protein production, protein purification and molecular display technologies.
• Design and lead experimental programmes from initial hypothesis and methodology development through to execution, data interpretation and optimisation.
• Apply computational approaches and emerging AI tools to improve experimental planning, troubleshooting and analytical workflows.
• Translate manual laboratory procedures into scalable, reproducible protocols using automated liquid handling systems and robotic platforms.
• Identify technical and practical barriers to automation and develop solutions to improve experimental efficiency and consistency.
• Work collaboratively with engineering and scientific teams to integrate new experimental methods into automated laboratory infrastructure.
• Document, standardise and transfer newly developed methods to ensure wider adoption across the organisation.

Initial Objectives:

• First 1-2 months : Establish an initial experimental capability within an agreed area of molecular biology or protein science. Demonstrate the successful execution of an initial automation-supported workflow.
• First 3 months: Independently lead an experimental development project using automated laboratory systems. Deliver validated protocols with sufficient reliability and reproducibility for wider team adoption.
• First 6 months: Address outstanding methodological and automation challenges. Transition selected manual experimental procedures into established automated workflows.Establish a foundation of reusable methods to support future research and technology development.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Strong practical experience in molecular biology, including PCR, cell culture and DNA sequencing workflows.
• Demonstrable expertise in recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Experience with high-throughput molecular display technologies, such as ribosome, mRNA, cDNA or phage display.
• Hands-on experience developing, scaling or optimising laboratory automation workflows.
• Familiarity with liquid handling platforms, laboratory robotics and automated experimental systems.
• Experience applying computational tools, machine learning or large language models to scientific research.
• Strong experimental data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Evidence of independently developing or adapting experimental methodologies to address challenging scientific problems.

Personal Attributes

• A proactive scientist who takes ownership and thrives in environments with considerable autonomy.
• Strong scientific fundamentals and the ability to understand the principles behind experimental techniques.
• Comfortable working across disciplines and learning unfamiliar technologies quickly.
• Resourceful, practical and motivated by solving complex experimental challenges.
• Able to communicate scientific concepts effectively and support the development of colleagues.
• Excited by the opportunity to contribute to a growing organization where new capabilities are being established.

This is an opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of automated experimental biology capabilities within a fast-moving life sciences technology business.