Laboratory Automation Scientist

The Laboratory Automation Facility (LAF) is a central research and service platform within the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) at ETH Zurich, located in Basel. We provide scientists and students in our department with access to complex laboratory workflows on automated liquid handling systems, such as Hamilton, High Res, as well as other automation devices.

We are looking for a highly motivated laboratory automation specialist to support and advance automated workflows across our robotic platforms. This position combines the responsibilities of a laboratory automation application specialist with hands‑on biological expertise to enable high‑quality, reproducible, and scalable experimental workflows in an academic research environment. The successful candidate will play a key role at the interface of laboratory automation technologies and multidisciplinary life science research, working closely with scientists from diverse disciplines including molecular biology, microbiology, and cell biology.

• Design, implement, optimize, and maintain automated laboratory workflows for life science applications
• Provide expert support for laboratory automation platforms (e.g. liquid handling robots, integrated systems, scheduling software)
• Collaborate with researchers to translate biological assays into automated or semi‑automated processes
• Support applications in molecular biology, microbiology, and cell biology (e.g. PCR/qPCR, NGS library prep, cell‑based essays, high‑content screening, microbial cultivation, cloning)
• Train and advise users on automation systems, best practices, and experimental design
• Troubleshoot technical and biological issues related to automated workflows
• Contribute to documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality assurance
• Evaluate and help introduce new automation technologies and methods within the core facility

• PhD in life sciences, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related field
• Strong background in biological laboratory techniques, particularly in molecular biology, microbiology, and/or cell biology
• Practical experience with laboratory automation systems (e.g. liquid handlers, robotic workstations)
• Familiarity with automation software (e.g. Hamilton Venus), scripting, or workflow scheduling (e.g. High Res Cellario) and experience with standard programming languages such as Python, C++, Matlab or R
• Understanding of assay development and adaptation for automated environments
• Ability to communicate effectively with researchers from different scientific backgrounds
• Previous experience as a laboratory automation application specialist or previous experience in a core facility environment is a plus
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a service‑oriented mindset
• Must be excellent team player with multitasking skills and the ability to adapt to working in a variety of scientific areas

The position is a technically and scientifically challenging hands‑on role within a state‑of‑the‑art research infrastructure. The successful candidate will have direct responsibility for a newly established laboratory automation platforms and have the opportunity to shape and further develop automated experimental workflows in close collaboration with scientists and engineers. The position offers a high degree of autonomy and ownership over complex systems and technical solutions.

The role is based in a collaborative, international, and multidisciplinary working environment at the D‑BSSE of theETH Zurich. The successful candidate will have access to cutting‑edge technologies at the interface of automation, engineering, biology, and data‑driven research. There are opportunities for professional development and skill expansion in automation, instrumentation, and digital laboratory technologies. The position comes with competitive employment conditions and benefits according to ETH Zurich regulations.

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