About the role#
Ginkgo Bioworks uses a large fleet of Reconfigurable Automation Carts, or RACs, to build an autonomous lab. These mobile, modular robotic units work together to support complex biological research. As an Automation Scientist Intern, you will work directly with this hardware. You will learn to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot these systems while helping push our lab toward full autonomy.
What you'll do#
- Operate and maintain the RAC system for molecular and cell biology workflows.
- Queue, submit, and monitor programmatically-generated protocols.
- Retrieve and analyze data from protocol runs.
- Modify or write new protocols for the autonomous lab.
- Prepare and onboard reagents and consumables for upcoming experiments.
- Execute scientific workflows and manage the offboarding of used plates.
- Perform experimental design and optimize workflows for automation.
What you'll need#
- Recent graduate or expected graduation in 2026 or H1 2027.
- Degree in Computer Science, Bioengineering, Computational Biology, or Bioinformatics.
- Background in Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering if paired with computational skills.
- Strong interest in learning biology.
- An automation-forward mindset and a desire to improve robotic systems.
- Willingness to do what is necessary to ensure scientific workflows run successfully.
Location & details#
- This role is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
- The position requires on-site attendance 5 days per week.
- This is a full-time, paid internship with a rolling start date.
About Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.
Ginkgo Bioworks is a biotechnology research company based in Boston. Founded in 2009, the firm builds tools for biological engineering. It operates autonomous laboratories that use robotics to assist scientists with their work. The company employs 515 people and functions as a public entity.
How to get in at Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.
Applying to Ginkgo Bioworks early is a significant advantage because recruiters review applications before the candidate pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and get seen before the pile grows. Reaching out to the people hiring for these roles often yields better results than submitting to a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves response rates.
