Molecular Biologist
Location: Dübendorf & Zurich | Duration: ~3–6 months contract (with potential to extend) | Start: As soon as practical | Workload: 60 - 100% | Compensation: Market rate, depending on experience
At DNAir, we’re building the future of scalable biodiversity monitoring by unlocking the power of airborne environmental DNA. As an early-stage ETH spin-off, we operate at the intersection of science, engineering, and environmental impact, partnering with private companies and public agencies to help them understand and manage biodiversity risk with unprecedented resolution.
We’re looking for a proactive, self-driven, mission-focused Molecular Biologist to join us on this journey.
The Role
We’re seeking a Molecular Biologist to lead the wet-lab development behind DNAir’s airborne environmental DNA workflow. In this role, you’ll conceptualize, design, and run experiments that shape how we capture, preserve, and analyze airborne DNA under real-world environmental conditions. Your work will directly inform the performance of our field-deployable sampling system and the robustness of our core molecular assays.
This hands-on, experimental position is ideal for someone who enjoys working independently, iterating quickly, and contributing to foundational R&D in an early-stage environment. You’ll work closely with the founding scientist and play an active role in shaping lab setup, protocol development, and operational decisions that support our growth.
Responsibilities
- Design and run molecular workflows for environmental DNA samples, including DNA extraction, qPCR assays, metabarcoding, and potentially library preparation, ensuring high-quality quantitative outputs.
- Plan and execute experiments to evaluate and optimize sample preparation, assay performance, and workflow robustness under various conditions.
- Generate reliable experimental data and synthesize findings into clear, reproducible documentation that supports scientific, operational, and customer development decision-making.
- Continuously improve protocols and lab practices, identifying opportunities to enhance sensitivity, reliability, and efficiency while adhering to good contamination-control practices.
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members (scientists, engineers, business developers) to link lab results with hardware engineering, field deployments, data analyses, and product development.
- Support practical lab operations, including preparing and ordering supplies, coordinating equipment or facility access, and assisting in maintaining smooth day-to-day functions.
Requirements
Must-haves:
- MSc/PhD in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field, or equivalent applied experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with core molecular biology techniques (academic, industry, or applied R&D).
- Experience working with environmental, low-biomass, or otherwise challenging sample types, with comfort troubleshooting inhibition or low-yield issues.
- Good contamination-control practices appropriate for trace-DNA workflows.
- Strong experimental design and execution skills, with the ability to plan, run, and document laboratory workflows independently.
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, results-oriented, and ambiguous environments where protocols evolve and iteration is expected.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage small-scale projects with minimal supervision.
- Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
- Valid work permit to work in Switzerland.
Nice-to-haves:
- Experience with quantitative assay optimization (e.g., qPCR panel development, assay validation).
- Experience preparing sequencing-ready material (amplicon or metabarcoding workflows).
- Familiarity with environmental DNA and other trace-DNA workflows.
- Experience handling large sample numbers and working with plate-based workflows.
- Exposure to data-heavy lab work, including managing plate layouts, metadata, or analytical outputs.
- Understanding of DNA preservation, sample stability, or field-to-lab workflows.
- Experience with early-stage or resource-constrained labs or hardware–wet lab integration.
- Basic data analysis skills (e.g., R or Python) to support the interpretation of sequencing data or qPCR.
- Additional language skills are a plus.
Why Join Us?
- Work at the forefront of eDNA and biodiversity monitoring—contribute to methods and technologies that are shaping the future of environmental impact assessment.
- Make a direct positive impact on biodiversity, conservation, and climate resilience through science that translates into real-world decision-making.
- Access state-of-the-art facilities— as an ETH spin-off, we work in modern, well-equipped post-PCR labs and clean labs designed for trace-DNA workflows.
- Join a small, mission-aligned team where your contributions directly shape our science, product, and impact.
- Flexible working arrangement (60–100%), with potential for longer-term collaboration.
- Enjoy a fast-paced, learning-rich environment where you can iterate quickly, take ownership, and see your work deployed in the field.
If you believe you are qualified but don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. Apply online using the form below.