Lab Robotics Research Associate

Purposelink Recruitment; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Purposelink Recruitment seeks a Lab Robotics Research Associate for on-site work in the SF Bay Area. You will translate wet-lab protocols into robotic execution scripts, validate automated runs, and troubleshoot high-throughput liquid handling systems.

Work hands-on with one of the world’s largest automated liquid handling fleets, using Opentrons and Hamilton platforms. A BS in biology/biochemistry/biomedical engineering and 1–3 years of experience are required; on‑site only.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of wet-lab Research Associate experience (ideally ~2 years).
• Hands-on experience with liquid handling robotics (Opentrons, Hamilton).
• Self‑taught Python for device control and data parsing.

Responsibilities

• Convert wet-lab protocols into automated, step-by-step liquid handling scripts.
• Validate automated runs by comparing manual vs robotic experiments.
• Troubleshoot robotics issues including low-volume pickup and viscous liquid handling.
• Design and 3D‑print adapters, fixtures, and lab tools to expand robotic capabilities.

Skills

Wet-lab experience

Python

Problem solving

Education

BS degree in Biology/Biochemistry/Biomedical Engineering

Tools

Opentrons

Hamilton

Job description

Lab Robotics Research Associate

Location: SF Bay Area, CA (On‑site, 5 days/week) Compensation: $90,000–$120,000 + competitive equity Work Authorization: US Citizen or Green Card required Hiring Goal: 1 position

About the Company

We are a high‑growth, profitable genomics technology company transforming DNA and RNA sequencing through a fully automated, overnight sequencing engine. Bootstrapped to $80M ARR, our platform supports 70,000+ scientists daily, including Nobel laureates and Fortune 100 pharma teams, by delivering rapid results at a fraction of traditional sequencing costs.

Role Overview

As a Lab Robotics Research Associate, you will help automate wet‑lab R&D workflows by translating scientific protocols into robotic execution scripts, validating automated runs, and troubleshooting high‑throughput liquid handling systems. You'll work hands‑on with one of the world's largest automated liquid handling fleets, contributing directly to the speed, reliability, and scalability of our global sequencing engine.

Key Responsibilities

• Protocol Automation: Convert wet‑lab R&D protocols into automated, step‑by‑step liquid handling scripts using robotics frameworks and AI‑assisted coding tools.
• System Validation: Run manual vs. robotic experiments side‑by‑side to ensure automated execution meets scientific quality standards.
• Robotics Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve physical robotics issues such as low-volume pickup, viscous liquid handling, and other failure modes.
• Custom Prototyping: Design and 3D‑print adapters, fixtures, and lab tools to expand robotic capabilities and improve workflow efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• 1–3 years of wet‑lab Research Associate experience (ideally ~2 years) in academic or biotech settings.
• Hands‑on experience with liquid handling robotics (Opentrons, Hamilton).
• BS degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or related field (BS preferred over MS).
• Self‑taught Python skills for device control and data parsing.
• Fully on‑site in the SF Bay Area; no relocation support; US Citizen or Green Card.

Technical Environment

• 200+ high‑throughput robotic liquid handling systems (Opentrons, Hamilton)
• Python for device control & automation
• AI‑assisted coding frameworks
• 3D printing & CAD (Fusion 360)
• Custom liquid handling protocols
• Molecular biology assay instrumentation