Senior Research Associate (Production)

Abstract Bio; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Abstract Bio is building a rapid DNA production line to turn customer orders into shipped DNA at scale. We seek a Senior Research Associate (Production) who thrives in hands-on, high-volume lab work and can own the synthesis, assembly and QC workflows.

This role will run the line, work with scientists to improve protocols, and help design the next version of the production line as Abstract Bio scales.

Qualifications

• Hands-on bench skills in cloning, DNA assembly and high-throughput biology.
• Experience handling hundreds to thousands of samples with deadlines.
• Ability to work in high-throughput production with consistent processes.
• Automation experience with lab instruments and protocols.
• Familiarity with automation platforms (Opentrons, Hamilton, Tecan, Echo).
• Calm under pressure and clear communicator.

Responsibilities

• Run the line: high-throughput cloning, assembly, sequencing workflows; operate core molecular biology instrumentation.
• Turn orders into physical DNA from intake to shipped product.
• Own QC and SOPs; track failure modes and close them out.
• Partner with scientists to automate bottlenecks and scale throughput.

Skills

Bench work

High-volume mindset

Automation proficiency

SOP expertise

Clear communication

Troubleshooting

Tools

Opentrons

Hamilton

Tecan

Echo

Job description

We are on a mission to become the first Life Factory, and our first target is the commoditisation of DNA, the prima materia of biology.

We are turning DNA into a commodity, and we need a relentless bench operator who thrives on volume. As our first Senior Research Associate (Production), you will build, run, and scale the wet lab that synthesises and ships millions of synthetic sequences.

The best candidate values personal impact over everything else and is excited by hands-on, high-volume work. Your role will evolve with time; you should be excited by that and step up when needed. THIS IS NOT A 9 TO 5.

STORY AND MISSION

In a world where intelligence is becoming commoditised, it is the availability of physical substrates that will dictate where breakthroughs happen. We are on a mission to become the first Life Factory, and our first target is the commoditisation of DNA, the prima materia of biology.

Although we started under a year ago, we already secured funding from top-tier VCs, set up operations and are selling to customers, making us the fastest DNA company to go to market, ever. If you want to go lightning-fast, then Abstract Bio is the right place for you!

ROLE DESCRIPTION

You will build and run the wet lab that turns customer orders into shipped DNA, at scale. Day-to-day, you will execute and own the synthesis, assembly, and QC workflows that move sequences from order to plate to box. You will partner with our scientist and computational team on protocol improvements, but the centre of gravity for this role is reliable, high-throughput execution at the bench.

This is hands-on work. As we grow, your remit will expand from running the line to designing how the next version of it operates: picking instruments, automating bottlenecks, training the people who join after you.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Run the line. Execute high-throughput cloning, assembly, and sequencing workflows. Operate liquid handlers, non-contact dispensers, and core molecular biology instrumentation.
• Turn digital orders into physical DNA. Move customer sequences end-to-end: from order intake through synthesis and assembly to QC'd, shipped product.
• Own QC and reliability. Build and maintain SOPs that catch errors before they leave the lab. Track failure modes and close them out.
• Help the line evolve. Partner with the scientist team to stress-test new protocols, automate manual steps, and grow throughput from hundreds to tens of thousands of fragments per month.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

• Hands-on master at the bench. Strong current wet-lab skills in cloning, DNA assembly and/or high-throughput molecular biology. You enjoy bench work — manual and automated.
• High-volume mindset. You have processed hundreds or thousands of samples in a structured way, without losing track or missing deadlines.
• Comfortable with throughput. Production means doing things reliably, many times. You take pride in consistency and a well-run process — and you spot the moments when a workflow needs to change.
• Automation operator. You can run, troubleshoot, and maintain liquid handlers and lab instrumentation. Bonus if you\'ve written protocols on Opentrons, Hamilton, Tecan, or Echo.
• Systematic and process-driven. You write SOPs, label samples obsessively, and prevent errors rather than firefight them.
• Calm under pressure. Production lines break. You troubleshoot fast and stay steady when deadlines are tight.
• Clear communicator. You flag issues to scientists and computational teammates so problems get fixed at the root.

NICE-TO-HAVES

• Sequencing hands-on. Library prep and operation of ONT, Illumina or PacBio.
• Automation scripting. Opentrons Python, Hamilton VENUS, Tecan EVOware, etc.
• LIMS / sample tracking experience at scale.
• Manufacturing background. Gene-synthesis vendor, core lab, foundry, or similar shipping-DNA-at-volume environment.
• Talent magnet. You bring along similarly rigorous, execution-focused operators.