Systems Integration Engineer (Assays)

Volta Labs is looking for a creative scientist or engineer to help build genomic assays on a novel fluidic platform.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Volta Labs, Inc. (https://www.voltalabs.com/) is an MIT spin-off that has unlocked powerful new capabilities with our proprietary fluidic technology. Working at the intersection of engineering and biology, we are developing the future of automation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in life sciences. We are at an exciting inflection point as we emerge out of stealth mode and scale up. Alongside our collaborators, we have demonstrated powerful and unique competencies that are now being developed into robust products for the decentralization of Next Generation Sequencing. This beachhead application is on the bleeding edge of innovation and adoption, and we intend to shape the future with our paradigm shifting platform.

Working at Volta Labs means having big ambitions for solving the world’s most challenging problems. We take pride in having a wealth of internal knowledge and experiences across all aspects of technology, and we hope that you can add fresh perspectives to that! We strive to build a community of collaborative, disruptive, and respectful team members who feel empowered to be themselves every day.

Job Responsibilities

• Take an existing biochemical workflow (reactions in tubes) and translate them to protocols implementable in droplets and magnetic beads.
• Implement DNA sequencing assays on Volta's digital fluidic platform by fine tuning things like volumes of liquid droplets and puddles, configuring mixing / splitting, controlled heating and cooling of tiny droplets.
• Play with software controlled droplets and solve problems at the intersection of interfacial mechanics, biochemistry, software and biology.
• You will also be creating novel droplet and fluid manipulation techniques to enable new biological assays.
• You will have the chance to collaborate with mechanical, electrical and software teams to design features and tools to streamline the assay development process.
• If you are not a biologist this is your chance to learn biology and if you have a strong biology background the opportunity will train you to become a strong systems level thinker.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical program such as engineering, chemistry, physics, or biology.
• 1+ years of experience with hands-on experimentation of hardware/ instrumentation, preferably in life sciences
• Experience with experimental plans for characterization, optimization, and root cause analysis of integrated electromechanical and microfluidic / nanofluidic systems
• Strong experimental laboratory skills, demonstrated by work experience.
• Ability to read, understand and synthesize biological and chemical protocol
• Experience scripting in python/Javascript for automation or data analysis purposes.
• Excel at bringing structure to unstructured problems: proven ability to research information, solve challenging problems, and coordinate projects under tight timing constraints
• Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced team environment with rapidly changing priorities: pro-active team player who thinks ahead, plans, and suggests solutions
• You are a continuous learner who embraces a growth mindset
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical information to be able to share internally across disciplines

Nice to Have

• You have a successful track record working with cross-functional development teams.
• Experience with writing SOPs verification and validation test planning with an understanding of boundary conditions on the assays