Analytical Development Co-op, Biophysical Characterization

Our mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ginkgo is constructing, editing, and redesigning the living world in order to answer the globe’s growing challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more. Our bioengineers make use of an in-house automated foundry for designing and building new organisms.

The Analytical Development and Quality Control (AD & QC) team develops and provides Ginkgo with a vast array of analytical techniques to aid in the accurate and reproducible results needed for Ginkgo projects. The purpose of this team is to develop, qualify, utilize and transfer analytical methods for identifying, measuring, and confirming chemical and microbiological compounds of interest that ultimately ensure quality outcomes for our customers while providing defendable data to internal Ginkgo teams.

As an Analytical Development Co-op you will work directly with scientists responsible for developing methods for measuring a variety of process parameters across Ginkgo Bioworks diverse array of products and industries. You will be able to directly contribute to analytical method development and alignment. You will work hand in hand with engineers and project team members in other departments to deliver impactful results that move the needle forward for Ginkgo's many program teams and customers. 
Possible Projects Include:

Bioanalytical track: Work alongside experienced scientists to develop Ginkgo’s analytical toolbox for cell and gene therapy applications. Provide a thorough review of the current bioanalytical methodologies used in cell and gene therapies (SEC-MALS, ELISA, CDMS, LC-MS, CE, AUC, etc.) and explore capabilities of these technologies when applied to Ginkgo’s projects. 
Classical analytical chemistry track: Work alongside experienced scientists to develop, transfer, execute, and/or compare analytical methodologies. Assist in creating or revising documentation to clearly describe processes.
Laboratory management track: Improve or lead operational aspects of the AD & QC laboratory (5S, analytical control storage and tracking, liaison for EHS, etc.)

The Ginkgo Bioworks Early Talent program is open to students who will return to their degree programs upon completion of their employment at Ginkgo. Candidates must be enrolled in a United States based institution and/or have work authorization in the United States to be eligible to participate.

Responsibilities

• Learn, execute and/or develop analytical methods, focusing primarily on accurate and precise quantitation as applied to cell and gene therapy (SEC-MALS, ELISA, CDMS, LC-MS, CE, AUC, ect.), or as applied to classical analytical chemistry (LC-UV, LC-RID, LC-FLD, LC-MS, IC-PAD, GC-FID, GC-MS, etc.)
• Interpret, organize and present complex datasets  
• Create, revise and follow SOPs and other guidance documents
• Assist with analytical technology transfer execution
• Improve or lead operational aspects of the AD & QC laboratory (maintain analytical instruments and associated maintenance logs, 5S, analytical control storage and tracking, liaison for EHS, etc.)

Minimum Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a master’s or PhD program in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field with an emphasis in analytical or bioanalytical development
• Keen interest in assessing and developing analytical processes applied to cell and gene therapy (SEC-MALS, AUC, ELISA, CE, ect.)
• Strong data interpretation, visualization and presentation skills
• Aptitude for organization and tidiness with exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of work (laboratory space, data summaries, documentation, etc.) 
• Positive, can-do attitude 
• Strong verbal and written skills

Preferred Requirements

• Experience developing analytical methods for cell and gene therapy applications.
• Working knowledge of or hands-on experience with analytical techniques commonly applied to cell and gene therapy measurements (LC-UV, SEC-MALS, ELISA, CE,  AUC, ect)
• Experience authoring peer reviewed publications

We also feel that it’s important to point out the obvious here – there’s a serious lack of diversity in our industry, and that needs to change. Our goal is to help drive that change. Ginkgo is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its practices, especially when it comes to growing our team. Our culture promotes inclusion and embraces how rewarding it is to work with people from all walks of life.  

We’re developing a powerful biological engineering platform, so we must remain mindful of the many ways our technology can – and will – impact people around the world. We care about how our platform is used, and having a diverse team to build it gives us the best chance that it’s something we’ll be proud of as it continues to grow. Therefore, it’s critical that we incorporate the diverse voices and visions of all those who play a role in the future of biology.

It is the policy of Ginkgo Bioworks to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants.