Research Associate I – Biophysics & Nanotechnology

Position Overview

Digital Biotechnologies is developing a solid-state single-molecule sequencing platform designed to deliver rapid, affordable, and accessible DNA sequencing in clinical settings. Our vision is a future where DNA sequencing becomes a routine clinical diagnostic—empowering physicians with actionable genetic information whenever and wherever it is needed. Looking ahead, our platform has the potential to expand beyond DNA to RNA and other biomolecules.

We are seeking an exceptional Research Associate I to join our growing team. In this role, you will work alongside scientists and engineers to develop, test, and optimize the technologies that power our sequencing platform. that leverage Digital’s novel intellectual property to realize the company’s strategic objectives in fundamental science, health care and business development. Whether designing experiments, generating high-quality data, building new assays, or solving complex technical challenges, your contributions will directly influence the development of a technology with the potential to transform molecular diagnostics.

If you are excited by solving challenging scientific problems, thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, and want your work to have a direct impact on the future of clinical diagnostics, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Perform electrical measurements in ionic solutions to characterize solid-state materials, nanomaterials, and biomolecular interactions.

• Synthesize, functionalize, and characterize inorganic and organic nanomaterials using appropriate analytical methods.

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments to support the development of Digital's sequencing platform.

• Prepare experimental samples according to study plans, established protocols, and experimental requirements.

• Generate accurate, reproducible, and well-documented experimental data and maintain detailed electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs).

• Analyze, interpret, and summarize experimental results and, with guidance from senior scientists, draw scientifically sound conclusions.

• Identify trends, unexpected results, and technical challenges and propose potential solutions, follow-up experiments, or process improvements.

• Contribute to the development and optimization of laboratory methods, experimental workflows, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, and computational scientists to advance integrated sequencing technologies.

• Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and a safe, organized laboratory environment.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, materials science, electrical engineering, bioengineering, or a related scientific or engineering discipline.

• At least one year of hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, industrial, or research environment.

• Strong experimental skills, excellent attention to detail, and rigorous scientific record-keeping.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze experimental results, identify sources of variability, and troubleshoot technical challenges.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary startup environment.

Preferred

• Experience with nanopore technology, low-current electrical measurements, and electrical signal analysis.

• Experience with nanoscale device characterization, biosensors, solid-state sensing technologies, electrochemical sensing, or related electrical instrumentation.

• Experience working with DNA and related molecular biology techniques (e.g., purification, quantification, and next-generation sequencing [NGS]).

• Experience working in an interdisciplinary or startup research environment.

Working Conditions

• This position is primarily laboratory-based and involves working with chemicals, nanomaterials, and biological specimens in accordance with established safety protocols.

• Occasional evening or extended work hours may be required to support experiments, critical milestones, or project deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Stand or sit for extended periods while performing laboratory procedures.

• Perform repetitive laboratory tasks requiring fine motor skills.

• Regularly lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

• Occasionally lift items weighing more than 20 pounds using appropriate assistance or equipment.

• Consistently follow laboratory safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment.

Compensation

$26.88 - $34.33

About Digital Biotechnologies

Help make DNA sequencing a routine clinical diagnostic.

Today, most DNA sequencing requires specialized laboratories, expensive instrumentation, and days to weeks before results reach physicians. While these technologies have transformed biological research and clinical testing, they remain too slow, costly, and operationally complex for many time-sensitive clinical applications. Digital Biotechnologies is changing that.

Achieving this vision requires expertise that spans multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. Our team integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, DNA nanotechnology, solid-state physics, microfabrication, electronics, signal processing, software, and data science to solve one of the most challenging problems in biotechnology. It is this interdisciplinary approach that enables us to develop technologies that would not be possible within any single field alone.

Backed by $15 million in Series A financing following early support from Adaptive Biotechnologies, Digital offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative startup environment where every team member plays a meaningful role in shaping both the technology and the company.