Molecular Biology Intern; -Throughput Assays

About The Role

The intern will join the spatial proteomics R&D effort, focusing on building and optimizing high-throughput experimental workflows for screening custom proteins. They will work with display systems (e.g., yeast display) and surface-based assays to evaluate affinity, specificity, and performance of designed proteins across multiple formats.

• Develop, optimize, and execute high-throughput screening assays to evaluate custom proteins.
• Build and refine yeast surface display workflows (and/or related display platforms) for quantitative binder characterization using flow cytometry.
• Establish and compare surface-based screening formats, such as:
  • Yeast display + FACS
  • Surface-immobilized target assays (e.g., beads, chips, slides)
  • Plate-based or bead-based binding and competition assays.
• Implement and benchmark conjugation strategies that link proteins to DNA or other reporter molecules for multiplexed assays and barcoded readouts.

• Design and execute cloning strategies for custom protein libraries and individual variants (PCR, Gibson/Golden Gate, site-directed mutagenesis).
• Construct and validate expression vectors for yeast and/or other systems, including QC of expression and display levels.
• Support expression and basic QC of selected binders (e.g., SDS‑PAGE, Western blot, simple purification or lysate‑based functional assays).

• Plan and perform FACS‑based and/or plate‑based binder screening experiments, including appropriate controls, titrations, and replicates.
• Analyze high‑dimensional assay data (e.g., from flow cytometry or barcoded readouts) to rank candidates based on affinity, specificity, and other performance metrics.
• Where applicable, prepare samples and data for sequencing‑based readouts and collaborate with others to interpret sequence–function relationships.
• Summarize findings in clear figures, tables, and internal reports, and present progress in regular team meetings.

• Work with computational design, protein production, and assay development teams to integrate experimental results into the design–build–test–learn cycle.
• Maintain detailed electronic lab notebook records, SOPs, and reagent documentation to ensure reproducibility and handoff.
• Contribute to a final internal report and presentation describing the developed workflows, experimental results, and recommendations for future development.

• Current PhD candidate in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Chemical Biology, or a closely related field.
• Ideally within the final 1–2 years of your PhD program, with substantial hands‑on experimental training in protein or molecular biology.
• Proven ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments.
• Strong quantitative and analytical mindset, including comfort with large datasets from high‑throughput screens.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex results across disciplines.
• Highly organized, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced, interdisciplinary R&D environment.

• Strong molecular biology foundation:
  • PCR, cloning (e.g., Gibson, Golden Gate), site‑directed mutagenesis.
  • Plasmid design, sequence verification, and basic construct troubleshooting.
• Experience with protein expression and characterization in at least one system (yeast,
  
  E. coli, or cell‑free):
  • Induction/optimization of expression, basic purification or lysate‑based assays, SDS‑PAGE/Western.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑throughput or quantitative assay formats, such as:
  • Flow cytometry / FACS, plate‑based binding assays (ELISA or similar), or cell‑based functional assays.
• Comfort with data analysis and visualization:
  • Experience with Python, R, or analysis tools such as Graph Pad Prism is nice to have.
  • General awareness and experience with AI data analysis.

• Yeast surface display, phage display, ribosome/mRNA display, or other library‑based screening technologies.
• Experience with conjugation and…