#190 [Genome Construction company] Lead Automation Scientist / Manager

Company Overview

As a biotechnology company, they develop and provide a unique large-scale genome construction platform.

While traditional genome editing involves “partially rewriting” specific genes, their platform is characterized by the ability to “design and reconstruct” extremely wide genome regions with high precision on a megabase (one million base pairs) scale. This allows them to grant cells and microorganisms sophisticated new functions that were previously impossible.

[Main Business Areas and Use Cases]

• Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy: They design and modify iPS cell genomes on a large scale to develop “Master Cell Lines” with controlled rejection, providing a foundation for next-generation cell therapeutics and safer, high-performance transplant medicine.

• Bio-manufacturing (Synthetic Biology): They provide solutions to optimize industrial microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, etc.) to produce pharmaceutical raw materials, sustainable biofuels, and high-function materials cleanly and efficiently.

[Strengths and Outlook]

• Global Technological Superiority: They possess world-class scientific expertise, including being the only Japanese participant in the International Yeast Genome Project “Sc2.0” and a key member of the international genome writing consortium “GP-write.”

• Universal OS for Cells: They aim to become a “universal operating system (OS)” for cell engineering.

• Rapid Growth: In July 2025, they raised 2.8 billion yen in Series A funding. They have also initiated joint research with leading US biotech companies and universities, accelerating their global expansion.

• Their headquarters are located in San Carlos, California (Silicon Valley), and they are accelerating their U.S. operations. Even while based in Japan, you can always work directly connected to the U.S. ecosystem and market.

Job Description

Looking ahead, they anticipate expanding their business of providing data and cells for AI drug discovery, primarily to US-based companies. In this position, you will lead the construction and optimization of automation processes essential to this business. You will be responsible for implementing cell culture and genome editing protocols—previously performed manually—into automated systems, elevating them into highly reproducible “Factory processes.” Specifically, the following tasks are expected:

• Equipment Operation & Troubleshooting: Managing daily operation programs, responding to minor errors, and coordinating maintenance with vendor engineers.

• Process Management Framework: Conducting risk analysis for mass production, building quality control systems, and preparing manuals.

• Lab Automation Management System Development: Developing and maintaining systems to manage experimental data, records, and error logs via databases.

• Automation Workflow Development: Automating wet-lab experiments through close communication with wet-lab researchers.

Requirements

• Practical experience in biological wet-lab research.

• Experience in launching or operating laboratory automation systems.

Preferred Requirements

• Knowledge of production and quality control (QA/QC), including SOP creation and systematizing error handling.

• External Vendor Management: Experience in technical negotiations and managing delivery/specifications with suppliers.

• IT Literacy: Knowledge of Python or a willingness to use AI tools like Claude Code to semi-automate routine tasks.

• Workflow Development: Understanding the process of transferring experiments to robots.

Terms and Conditions

• Annual Salary: 7 – 13 million JPY (Negotiable)

• Bonus: None

• Salary Increase: Once a year

• Probation Period: 6 months

• Location: Kanagawa

• Social Insurance: Fully covered

• Working Hours: Based on 9:00-18:00 (left to the individual’s discretion)

• Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays

• Average Overtime: Discretionary labor system

• Smoking Cessation Measures: Non-smoking indoors

Selection Process

• Selection Flow: They conduct 2–3 interviews followed by a reference check.

• Required Documents: They require a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) for the initial screening.

• Interview Language: Their interviews can be conducted in either Japanese or English.