DNA Script

DNA Script is a leading company in manufacturing de novo synthetic nucleic acids using enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology. The company aims at accelerating innovation in life science and technology through the decentralization of rapid, on demand and high-quality DNA synthesis. DNA Script's approach leverages nature's billions of years of evolution in synthesizing DNA to set a new standard for customizing nucleic acid synthesis thus accelerating discovery in genetics, genomics, and synthetic biology. Discovery disciplines with profound impacts upon humanity such as biopharma, translational genetics and even molecular information storage all start with synthetic DNA. The company has recently initiated the commercialization of its first EDS powered platform, the SYNTAX system.

To date, DNA Script has raised over $315M of financing, with leading investors such as Coatue Management, Fidelity Management and Research, Catalio Capital Management, Casdin Capital, LSP, Bpifrance Large Ventures, Danaher, Illumina Ventures, Agilent, Merck Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, Kurma Partners, T Rowe Price, Baillie Gifford and Eurazeo.

DNA Script also partners on technology and product development with leading organizations such as DARPA, IARPA, Moderna Therapeutics, GE Research, Illumina, the Broad Institute, Harvard University, Institut Pasteur and the French Department of Defense.

DNA Script has its research and manufacturing facilities headquartered in Paris, France, and is in the process of expanding its commercial and development teams in South San Francisco.

Opportunity and Challenges :

We are looking to assemble a team of best-in-class, innovative and passionately eager people. We want to gather their talents and skills to achieve one goal: unlock the power of “DNA-write.” We offer the opportunity of joining a dynamic, international, and highly skilled team in a pioneering startup. Our DNA On Demand platform not only has the potential to change the way the world makes and uses synthetic DNA, but also to accelerate the rate of discovery by delivering upon the promise of same-day results.

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing company and to have a large impact on developing a technology that will have far-reaching impacts across biological sciences.

The Role

We are looking for a R&D Engineer that will join our enzyme engineering team composed of >10 scientists. You will help us to build a robust and high throughput screening workflow to optimize our proprietary DNA polymerase variants (TdT) for DNA synthesis technology. You will be part of the team in charge of performing enzyme secondary and tertiary screen activities. You will conduct and optimize secondary screen assays and also analyze experimental data from iterative screening cycles to get novel data insights.

Main Responsibilities:

• Express, purify and prepare enzyme variants at small scale (shake flask cultures).
• Test purified enzyme variants in automated DNA synthesis run. Prepare and perform automated runs. Run efficiently and reproducibly day to day operations. Perform data analysis and generate meaningful insights from complex data sets
• Optimize secondary screening procedures
• Engagement in good laboratory and good documentation practices.

Experience:

• Master or engineer degree in Biology, Biochemistry or Biotechnology
• ‘Hands on’ working experience in biochemistry lab
• Familiarity with protein handling, expression, and purification
• Good skills in data analysis and data visualization
• Strong commitment to results and achievement of goals
• Relentless attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong record keeping skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good command of the English language
• Experience in enzymology and good coding skills are desirable

Miscellaneous

• Job located in Kremlin Bicêtre, France
• Start date: As soon as possible.

Recruitment Process:

• Initial screening with the hiring manager
• Day interview at the office (or remote) with the manager, cofounders, HR and the rest of the team
• Reference Checks
• Timing: 2-3 weeks