Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Engineer I, Science
at GinkGo Bioworks
🏢 About GinkGo Bioworks
Ginkgo Bioworks is pioneering the engineering of biology through automated platforms and digital infrastructure, aiming to solve global challenges in health, energy, and materials. What makes Ginkgo unique is its integration of high-throughput biological data generation with AI-driven drug discovery through Ginkgo Datapoints, creating a cutting-edge environment where biology meets technology.
About This Role
This Senior Engineer I, Science role involves developing standardized protocols for complex cellular models and optimizing high-throughput biochemical and cellular assays, with a focus on CRISPR/siRNA screens and transcriptomic/phenotypic readouts. It's impactful because you'll directly contribute to building the biological datasets that fuel Ginkgo's AI models for drug discovery, bridging experimental science with computational innovation.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve optimizing a high-throughput assay for a CRISPR screen in iPSC-derived cells, collaborating with automation engineers to streamline protocols, and analyzing transcriptomic data to feed into Ginkgo's AI models. You'll also document experiments and present findings to cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with drug discovery goals.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who GinkGo Bioworks Is Looking For
- Has 4+ years of industry experience with advanced mammalian cell culture (primary cells, iPSCs, 2D co-cultures) and a proven track record of implementing and teaching best practices in this area.
- Possesses hands-on expertise in developing and optimizing high-throughput biochemical/cellular assays, with experience in CRISPR or siRNA transfection using multiple delivery methods.
- Demonstrates experience executing chemical/genetic screens and analyzing transcriptomic and phenotypic data, ideally in a multidisciplinary team setting.
- Holds a degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, or related fields (PhD preferred), with a strong background in both cell biology and biochemistry.
📝 Tips for Applying to GinkGo Bioworks
Highlight specific examples of developing standardized protocols for complex cellular models (e.g., primary cells or iPSCs) in your resume, quantifying outcomes like throughput improvements or reproducibility gains.
Emphasize any experience with Ginkgo's core technologies—automation, high-throughput screening, or AI/ML in biology—by mentioning relevant platforms or tools you've used (e.g., liquid handlers, CRISPR libraries).
Tailor your application to show how your work aligns with Ginkgo's mission of 'making biology easier to engineer,' such as by describing projects that streamlined biological processes or integrated data with computational methods.
Include metrics or results from past CRISPR/siRNA screens or assay optimizations, focusing on how they contributed to larger goals like drug discovery or dataset generation.
Research Ginkgo's recent projects or partnerships (e.g., in drug discovery or biosecurity) and reference them in your cover letter to demonstrate genuine interest and fit.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain how your hands-on experience with advanced cellular models and high-throughput assays directly applies to Ginkgo's work in generating biological datasets for AI-driven drug discovery.", 'Describe a specific project where you developed or optimized protocols for complex cell cultures, highlighting outcomes like improved efficiency or data quality.', "Connect your background to Ginkgo's multidisciplinary approach by sharing examples of collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, execute, and communicate experiments.", "Express enthusiasm for Ginkgo's mission and how your skills in CRISPR/siRNA screens or transcriptomic analysis can contribute to solving global challenges in health or materials."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Ginkgo's recent initiatives in drug discovery through Ginkgo Datapoints, such as partnerships or publications on AI models for biological data.
- → Review Ginkgo's work in automation and high-throughput biology, including their platform capabilities and how they apply to cellular models or screening.
- → Look into Ginkgo's broader impact areas (health, energy, food, materials) to understand how this role might fit into specific projects or company goals.
- → Check Ginkgo's blog, press releases, or scientific papers for insights into their approach to CRISPR, iPSCs, or transcriptomics in an industrial context.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without tailoring it to Ginkgo's focus on automation, high-throughput biology, or AI integration in drug discovery.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of hands-on experience with advanced cellular models or CRISPR/siRNA screens, as this role requires specific technical expertise.
- Overlooking the multidisciplinary aspect by not highlighting collaboration skills or experience communicating results across teams, which is key at Ginkgo.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to GinkGo Bioworks!