Intern, Synthesis Development DNA Script

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

DNA Script is looking for a dynamic and talented individual to join the System Integration team, a part of DNA Script’s R&D department in charge of the development of new DNA synthesis process and instrumentation.

The role is to contribute to the optimization of the enzymatic synthesis process to produce modified synthetic molecules on a liquid handler. The candidate’s goal will be to adapt existing protocols to facilitate the incorporation of modified nucleotides tailored to specific downstream applications.

The candidate will need to quickly master the different steps of the current synthesis process to be able to propose alternatives and improvements that will be automatable in the company’s instrument. The candidate must be autonomous, and rigorous, with a detail-oriented mindset.

The position will require a lot of transversal and interdisciplinary communication with the different company teams to implement research protocols into future products. The candidate will work in a fast-paced, international, and challenging environment, with a direct impact on the company technology.

Main Responsibilities

Your missions will be:

• Quickly grasp and understand the company’s current synthesis protocols
• Propose, develop, and test new protocols to make the incorporation of modified bases efficient, robust, and reproducible
• Implement these protocols on an automated liquid handler, with the help of experts on these machines
• Contributing actively to product development
• Perform in depth analysis of experimental data, write reports and present results across all levels of the company
• Actively contribute to critical company milestones, with a willingness to work outside immediate area of expertise when required

Experience

Essential

• M2 student in biology, biochemistry, or chemistry
• Knowledge in molecular biology and or biotechnology, particularly in DNA/RNA manipulation
• Interest for the company’s technology and biotech in general
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and systematic troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with researchers, software engineers, hardware engineers
• Willingness to work on automated system, such as Hamilton
• Highly motivated and proactive
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good English level

Desirable

• Good French speaking level
• Experience in process optimization
• Experience in working with liquid-handling robot

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 and peer + HR
• Timing: 2-3 weeks