Lab Automation Intern (AI/Biotech)

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland; on-site. Full-time internship for a minimum of 3 months, with longer preferred. Start date: ASAP.

Company

hirify.global is building an automated laboratory that enables AI agents to run biology experiments through integrated software, hardware, robotics, and data systems.

What you will do

• Build and run automated liquid-handling protocols on Hamilton STAR and other robots using Python and open-source tooling such as PyLabRobot and PyHamilton.
• Operate and maintain work cells by loading runs, swapping consumables, calibrating instruments, and troubleshooting jams or misreads.
• Develop Python instrument drivers, integrations, and tooling that control hardware and move data through LabOS.
• Reverse-engineer instrument communication using traffic capture tools such as Wireshark or USB/serial sniffers.
• Test protocols and instruments, document results and anomalies, and maintain reproducible documentation for protocols, work-cell layouts, and fixes.
• Support the physical setup of automated experiments, including wiring devices, organizing work cells, and preparing plates and reagents.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor's or Master's program in engineering, robotics, mechatronics, computer science, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Generalist maker mindset with an interest in building, disassembling, and troubleshooting systems across software, electronics, and mechanics.
• Strong Python skills, including building drivers, writing readable structured code, working with APIs and Git, and debugging unfamiliar libraries.
• Experience using coding agents such as Claude Code or similar tools to write, debug, and ship software.
• Self-starter who identifies work independently and follows through reliably.
• Organized and reliable approach with strong note-taking and attention to detail.
• Genuine interest in teaching robots to run biology experiments; a biology background is not required.

Nice to have

• Maker or hacker experience in areas such as 3D printing and CAD, electronics and soldering, microcontrollers, machining, robotics, or lab automation.
• Experience using or contributing to open-source projects such as PyLabRobot, PyHamilton, or Opentrons.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on work at the intersection of software, hardware, robotics, and wet-lab biology.
• On-site collaboration with the automation team in Lausanne.
• Opportunity to contribute to an automated lab serving biopharma, AI, and techbio organizations.

Hiring process

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.