Research Technician – Agentic Binder Design & Validation

About OnavaOnava is building at the intersection of artificial intelligence, protein design, and experimental biology. We are developing an integrated platform where AI-designed proteins move rapidly from computational design to automated experimental testing, and where experimental results feed directly back into the next generation of designs.Our goal is to create a lab-in-the-loop system for protein engineering: tightly connecting generative AI, high-throughput experimentation, automation, and biological data to accelerate the design of best-in-class biologics.We are a fast-moving, highly collaborative team working at the cutting edge of AI and wet-lab science. This is an environment for people who enjoy building, experimenting, troubleshooting, and moving quickly, and who are excited by the opportunity to help create a new way of designing drugs.The RoleWe are looking for a Research Technician focused on automated binder design validation to join our team.You will play a key role in experimentally validating AI-designed protein binders and operating the high-throughput workflows that power Onava's lab-in-the-loop platform. You will work closely with scientists, protein engineers, AI scientists, automation engineers, and computational researchers to move designs from sequence to experimental data quickly, reproducibly, and at scale.This is a highly hands-on role. You'll help execute and improve workflows spanning protein expression, purification, binding assays, sample preparation, liquid handling, and experimental data generation. As our platform grows, you'll also help translate manual assays into robust, automated workflows capable of testing increasingly large numbers of AI-generated designs.The ideal candidate is rigorous at the bench, comfortable learning new techniques, excited about laboratory automation, and energized by working in a fast-paced startup environment.Core ResponsibilitiesExecute experimental validation of AI-designed protein binders across a variety of protein targets and design campaigns.Perform routine molecular biology and protein biochemistry workflows, including protein expression, purification, quantification, and sample preparation.Run binding and functional assays to characterize designed proteins and generate high-quality experimental datasets.Operate and maintain automated liquid-handling and laboratory instrumentation used in high-throughput experimental workflows.Prepare plates, reagents, buffers, protein samples, and assay materials for automated and semi-automated experiments.Execute standardized high-throughput workflows with a strong focus on reproducibility, accuracy, and data quality.Help troubleshoot failed or inconsistent experiments and identify opportunities to improve assay robustness.Work with scientists and automation engineers to transition manual experimental protocols into scalable automated workflows.Maintain detailed experimental records, sample tracking, and structured data capture so results can reliably feed back into computational design cycles.Support the continuous design, build, test, and learn loop, helping rapidly turn experimental results into data that informs the next generation of AI-designed proteins.Maintain laboratory organization, inventory, equipment, and supplies to keep high-throughput workflows running efficiently.Contribute to a collaborative, fast-moving scientific culture where protocols and systems are continuously improved.Key QualificationsBachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.Hands-on laboratory experience in an academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or similar research environment.Experience with fundamental molecular biology and/or protein biochemistry techniques.Strong pipetting and sample-handling skills, with careful attention to experimental consistency.Experience preparing buffers, reagents, dilutions, and multi-well plate-based experiments.Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple experiments and samples simultaneously.Careful attention to detail and a strong commitment to generating reproducible, high-quality experimental data.Ability to follow established protocols while recognizing when something looks wrong and proactively troubleshooting.Comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly interdisciplinary startup environment where priorities can evolve quickly.Strong communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborating across experimental, computational, and engineering teams.Preferred experienceExperience with protein expression and purification, particularly recombinant proteins.Experience with protein binding assays or biophysical characterization techniques such as BLI, SPR, ELISA, fluorescence-based assays, or related methods.Experience with automated liquid handlers such as Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons, or similar platforms.Experience developing, optimizing, or scaling 96- or 384-well plate-based assays.Familiarity with high-throughput protein screening or protein engineering workflows.Experience with mammalian, bacterial, or yeast protein expression systems.Experience with chromatography systems such as ÄKTA/FPLC.Familiarity with laboratory information management, sample tracking, or automated data capture systems.Basic scripting or data-analysis experience (Python, R, or similar) is a plus, but not required.Previous experience in an early-stage biotech or similarly fast-moving research environment.Interest in AI-driven protein design, generative biology, laboratory automation, and closed-loop experimentation.Compensation and Benefits: The base salary range for this role is $80,000 to $90,000 per year. The final offer will be based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and level. In addition to base salary, Onava offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and growth of our team.