Software Graduate Intern, Autonomous Lab

Summary

Ginkgo Bioworks is constructing the world’s first "Total Autonomous Lab" where scientific work is executed by robots. They are seeking a Software Intern to help build the digital brain of this lab, working with their proprietary software stack to develop protocols, integrate lab data, and assist in hardware integration.

Responsibilities

• Enable "Protocols as Code": Develop and refine Python-based protocols using the Catalyst Client to control liquid handlers, plate readers, and robotic arms
• Build the AI Scientist: Assist in the development of Catalyst Agent, our LLM-based interface that allows scientists to launch experiments using natural language
• Integrate Lab Data: Work on data pipelines that automatically harvest, structure, and upload experimental data from RACs into our data lake for AI model training
• Develop Device Drivers: Help integrate new hardware instruments into the Catalyst ecosystem, writing the drivers that allow our software to "talk" to new lab tools

Skills

• Enable 'Protocols as Code': Develop and refine Python-based protocols using the Catalyst Client to control liquid handlers, plate readers, and robotic arms
• Build the AI Scientist: Assist in the development of Catalyst Agent, our LLM-based interface that allows scientists to launch experiments using natural language
• Integrate Lab Data: Work on data pipelines that automatically harvest, structure, and upload experimental data from RACs into our data lake for AI model training
• Develop Device Drivers: Help integrate new hardware instruments into the Catalyst ecosystem, writing the drivers that allow our software to 'talk' to new lab tools
• Recent graduate (BS/MS) or current student in Computer Science, Bioengineering, or a related STEM field
• Strong proficiency in Python; experience with hardware control or APIs is a plus
• Enthusiasm for 'Lab-in-the-Loop' technologies where AI models drive physical experimentation
• Interest in biological data standards and laboratory automation

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Enable 'Protocols as Code': Develop and refine Python-based protocols using the Catalyst Client to control liquid handlers, plate readers, and robotic arms
• Build the AI Scientist: Assist in the development of Catalyst Agent, our LLM-based interface that allows scientists to launch experiments using natural language
• Integrate Lab Data: Work on data pipelines that automatically harvest, structure, and upload experimental data from RACs into our data lake for AI model training
• Develop Device Drivers: Help integrate new hardware instruments into the Catalyst ecosystem, writing the drivers that allow our software to 'talk' to new lab tools

Nice to Haves

• Recent graduate (BS/MS) or current student in Computer Science, Bioengineering, or a related STEM field
• Strong proficiency in Python; experience with hardware control or APIs is a plus
• Enthusiasm for 'Lab-in-the-Loop' technologies where AI models drive physical experimentation
• Interest in biological data standards and laboratory automation

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision coverage
• Health spending accounts
• Voluntary benefits
• Leave of absence policies
• 8 paid holidays in addition to a full-week winter shutdown
• Unlimited Paid Time Off policy