Software Intern, Autonomous Lab

StudentLife OS; Emeryville, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Health spending accounts

Eight paid holidays

Unlimited paid time off

Job summary

Ginkgo Bioworks in Emeryville is seeking a Software Intern to help build the digital brain of a Total Autonomous Lab. You will write Python-based protocols, drive lab instruments, and contribute to AI-driven experimentation alongside Catalyst and Catalyst Agent.

Ideal candidates are strong in Python, curious about lab automation, and eager to apply code to physical systems. On-site five days a week; internship with comprehensive health benefits and paid time off options.

Qualifications

• Some coding skills; no college degree required.
• Strong proficiency in Python.
• Able to work on site in Emeryville five days a week.

Responsibilities

• Write and refine Python-based protocols with the Catalyst Client to control liquid handlers, plate readers and robotic arms.
• Help develop Catalyst Agent, the LLM-based interface that lets scientists launch experiments in natural language.
• Build data pipelines that harvest, structure and upload experimental data for AI model training.
• Write device drivers that let the software talk to new lab instruments.

Skills

Python

REST APIs

Data Analysis

Git

Linux/Unix

Machine Learning

Education

No degree required

Tools

Hardware control

APIs

Job description

# Software Intern, Autonomous LabEmeryville, CA188 days left, closes Tue, March 30, 2027High school students, Community college students, University students (4-year), and Recent graduates### The roleCompensation$37,700 per yearHours40TermYear-RoundLocationEmeryville, CATeamAutonomous LabApply byTue, March 30, 2027### About this internshipGinkgo Bioworks is building what it calls a Total Autonomous Lab in Emeryville: a facility where scientific work is requested by code and executed by robots around the clock. It is hiring a Software Intern to help build the digital brain of that lab, working with Catalyst, the software stack that orchestrates fleets of Reconfigurable Automation Cells.What you will do:* Write and refine Python-based protocols with the Catalyst Client to control liquid handlers, plate readers and robotic arms* Help develop Catalyst Agent, the LLM-based interface that lets scientists launch experiments in natural language* Build data pipelines that harvest, structure and upload experimental data for AI model training* Write device drivers that let the software talk to new lab instrumentsPay: the posted base salary range is $37,700 to $53,500 on an annualised basis, with medical, dental and vision, health spending accounts, eight paid holidays plus a full-week winter shutdown, and an unlimited paid time off policy.Who it is for: this one is unusual and worth reading twice. Ginkgo states that no college degree is necessary, but some coding skill is required, with strong Python proficiency and an interest in lab automation and lab-in-the-loop AI. It suits software-minded students who want to apply code to physical systems, and computational biology students who want to move from analysis into autonomous execution. All Ginkgo internships are on site five days a week. The posting does not name a fixed term or start date.### What you getMedical, dental and vision, health spending accounts, 8 paid holidays plus a full-week winter shutdown, unlimited paid time off### Requirements* Some skills in coding or related areas (no college degree necessary)* Strong proficiency in Python* Able to work on site in Emeryville five days a week### Preferred qualifications* Experience with hardware control or APIs* Enthusiasm for lab-in-the-loop technologies where AI drives physical experimentation* Interest in biological data standards and laboratory automation### SkillsRequiredPythonNice to haveREST APIsData AnalysisGitLinux/UnixMachine Learning### Who this is forStudent typeHigh school studentsCommunity college studentsUniversity students (4-year)Recent graduatesFields of studyComputer Science & ITNatural SciencesEngineering & TechnologySpecific majorsComputer ScienceBiotechnologyBiomedical EngineeringBiologySoftware Engineering