Senior Lab Automation Engineer

Swiss

CAT+ East is a national technology platform of the ETH Domain dedicated to advancing catalysis research through data-driven, automated, and high-throughput experimentation. The platform provides academic and industrial researchers with access to state-of-the-art robotic infrastructure, combined with advanced data analysis, machine learning tools, and expert technical support.

Swiss

CAT+ East operates as an open-access infrastructure supporting projects for both academic and industrial research groups in Switzerland and internationally, with a strong emphasis on sustainable catalysis and materials development. The mission of Swiss

CAT+ East is to translate scientific questions into machine-learning-driven and automated experimental workflows and to execute complex experimental campaigns with high reproducibility and high throughput.

To achieve this, the platform continuously expands a unique portfolio of robotic and high-throughput systems for the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of catalysts under commercially relevant reaction conditions. The infrastructure includes both commercial automation platforms and custom-designed systems developed in collaboration with academic and industrial partners to extend experimental capabilities beyond what is commercially available.

As a Lab Automation Engineer at Swiss

CAT+ East, you will be responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, programming, and continuous development of a diverse portfolio of automated and high-throughput laboratory systems. The infrastructure includes state-of-the-art robotic platforms for synthesis, characterization, and catalytic testing. You will ensure reliable day-to-day operation of complex systems in a user-facing environment while contributing to their technical evolution and supporting scientists in the integration of automation into new experimental workflows.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Preventive and corrective maintenance of automated laboratory systems, including synthesis robots, high-throughput reactors, and analytical tools
• Troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and software-related issues to ensure high system uptime in a user-facing, service-oriented environment
• Installation, qualification, and commissioning of new automation platforms, modules, and upgrades
• Development and optimization of experimental workflows to support scientific and user-driven projects
• Development of custom automation solutions to address specific project needs
• Support for system integration, data flow, and interfacing with digital tools such as LIMS, ELN, and data analysis pipelines
• Training and technical support for platform users and laboratory staff
• Documentation of systems, procedures, maintenance activities, and best practices
• Coordination with external vendors and service providers, including advanced technical discussions and issue resolution

The position involves close interaction with scientists, lab technicians, machine learning engineers, and external partners at the interface of automation, software, and experimental catalysis.

The position is initially offered as a fixed-term contract with a workload between 80% and 100%, with the intention to transition to a longer-term or permanent position, subject to project development and mutual agreement.

You are a hands-on automation engineer with a strong technical background and a pragmatic mindset, comfortable working in a complex laboratory environment with multiple automated systems.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in engineering (e.g. automation, mechanical, electrical, robotics, biomedical, chemical, or related fields) or equivalent practical experience
• Several years of hands-on experience with laboratory automation, including liquid handling systems, robotic platforms, and automated analytical tools, ideally in a service, support, or system ownership role; experience with commercial laboratory automation platforms is an advantage
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, and software components
• Familiarity with automation software, system configuration, and structured…