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 are pioneering the future of scalable biodiversity monitoring by harnessing the power of airborne environmental DNA. As an early-stage ETH spin-off, we sit at the crossroads of science, engineering, and environmental impact, collaborating with private companies and public agencies to understand and manage biodiversity risk with remarkable precision. We are in search of a proactive, self-motivated, and mission-driven Molecular Biologist to join us on this important journey.
The Role
We are looking for a Molecular Biologist who will be instrumental in driving the wet-lab development behind DNAir's airborne environmental DNA workflow. In this role, you will conceptualize, design, and conduct experiments that will refine how we capture, preserve, and analyze airborne DNA under real-world environmental conditions. Your expertise will play a significant role in informing the performance of our field-deployable sampling system and the robustness of our core molecular assays.
This hands-on, experimental position is perfect for someone who thrives on independent work, rapid iteration, and contributing to foundational R&D in an early-stage environment. You will collaborate closely with our founding scientist and have an active role in shaping the laboratory setup, protocol development, and operational strategies that will support our growth.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute molecular workflows for environmental DNA samples, including DNA extraction, qPCR assays, metabarcoding, and potentially library preparation, ensuring high-quality quantitative outputs.
- Plan and perform 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 to support scientific, operational, and customer development decision-making.
- Continuously enhance protocols and laboratory practices, identifying opportunities to improve sensitivity, reliability, and efficiency while adhering to stringent contamination-control practices.
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members (scientists, engineers, business developers) to bridge 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.
- A minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with core molecular biology assay techniques (academic, industry, or applied R&D).
- Experience working with environmental, low-biomass, or otherwise challenging sample types, and a comfort with troubleshooting inhibition or low-yield issues.
- Strong contamination-control practices suitable for trace-DNA workflows.
- Excellent experimental design and execution skills, with the ability to independently plan, conduct, and document laboratory workflows.
- Comfort in fast-moving, results-oriented, and ambiguous environments where protocols evolve and iteration is the norm.
- Self-driven and able to 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 in preparing sequencing-ready material (amplicon or metabarcoding workflows).
- Familiarity with environmental DNA or other trace-DNA workflows.
- Experience managing large sample numbers and working with plate-based workflows.
- Exposure to data-intensive lab work, including managing plate layouts, metadata, or analytical outputs.
- Understanding of DNA preservation, sample stability, or field-to-lab workflows.
- Experience in early-stage or resource-constrained labs or hardware-wet lab integration.
- Basic skills in data analysis (e.g., R or Python) to support the interpretation of sequencing data or qPCR.
- Additional language skills.
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 operate in modern, well-equipped post-PCR labs and clean labs designed for trace-DNA workflows.
- Join a small, mission-driven team where your contributions directly shape the science, the product, and the impact we create.
- Enjoy flexible working arrangements (60–100%), with the possibility of transitioning into a longer-term collaboration.
- Immerse yourself in a fast-paced, learning-rich environment where you can iterate quickly, take ownership, and see your work implemented in the field.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. Apply online using the form below.