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Synthetic Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LatchBio

AI Biologist - Refusal

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$120K - $180K/yr

Dual-use protocol & method assessment Requirements * 5+ years hands-on experience with virology, microbiology, immunology, synthetic biology, bioengineering or a related field * Hands-on experience ...

Oxman Architects

NY · On-site

Associate Synthetic Biologist * Computational Designer * Computational Ecologist * Designer * Machine Learning Research Engineer * Senior Manager, People * Senior Software Engineer #J-18808-Ljbffr

Oxman Architects

NY · On-site

$113K - $150K/yr

Associate Synthetic Biologist * Computational Designer * Computational Ecologist * Designer * Machine Learning Research Engineer * Senior Manager, People * Senior Software Engineer #J-18808-Ljbffr

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$37K

$89.4K

$138K

How much do synthetic biologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for synthetic biologist in the United States is $89,403.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,500.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a synthetic biologist?

Synthetic biologists are scientists who design and construct new biological parts, devices, and systems, or re-design existing natural biological systems for useful purposes. Their work combines principles from biology, engineering, computer science, and chemistry to create innovative solutions in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Synthetic biologists may develop engineered organisms to produce biofuels, pharmaceuticals, or to clean up pollution. The field is highly interdisciplinary and often involves the use of advanced genetic engineering and computational modeling techniques.

How do you become a synthetic biologist?

To become a synthetic biologist, typically a bachelor's degree in biology, bioengineering, or a related field is required, followed by advanced training such as a master's or Ph.D. in synthetic biology or a related discipline. Gaining experience with laboratory techniques, genetic engineering tools, and computational methods is essential, and many professionals also pursue certifications or specialized training to enhance their skills.

What can you do with synthetic biology?

A synthetic biologist designs and constructs new biological parts, systems, or organisms for applications such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental management. They use tools like gene editing and DNA synthesis to develop innovative solutions and improve existing biological processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a synthetic biologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Synthetic Biologist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biochemistry, usually supported by an advanced degree in a relevant scientific field. Familiarity with tools such as CRISPR, DNA synthesis platforms, and bioinformatics software, as well as experience with lab automation systems, is typically required. Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for innovating and working effectively within multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable the design and implementation of novel biological systems, drive scientific progress, and facilitate impactful applications in biotechnology.

What is the difference between Synthetic Biologist vs Molecular Biologist?

AspectSynthetic BiologistMolecular Biologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in biology, bioengineering, or related fields; often specialized training in synthetic biologyBachelor's or higher in biology, biochemistry, or related fields; focus on molecular techniques
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, biotech companies, academia, often interdisciplinaryResearch labs, healthcare, academia, focusing on molecular processes
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceuticals, synthetic biology startupsHealthcare, research institutions, biotech
Common Search/ComparisonSynthetic Biologist vs Molecular Biologist

While both roles involve biological research, Synthetic Biologists focus on designing and constructing new biological parts and systems, often using engineering principles. Molecular Biologists primarily study molecular mechanisms within cells. The roles overlap in laboratory skills and industry settings, but Synthetic Biologists emphasize engineering and innovation in creating new biological functions.

Is synthetic biology a good career?

Synthetic biologists design and engineer biological systems for applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry, often requiring skills in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics. The field offers growing job opportunities with competitive salaries, especially for those with advanced degrees and technical expertise. It is considered a promising career path for individuals interested in innovative biological research and development.

What are some typical challenges synthetic biologists face when collaborating on interdisciplinary projects?

Synthetic biologists often work closely with experts in fields like engineering, computer science, and chemistry, which can present challenges related to communication and aligning project goals. Differences in terminology, methodologies, and priorities may require extra effort to ensure everyone is on the same page. Successful synthetic biologists proactively bridge these gaps by fostering open communication, seeking to understand other disciplines, and adapting to diverse problem-solving approaches. This collaborative environment can be highly rewarding but demands flexibility and strong interpersonal skills.

How much does a synthetic biologist make?

The average salary for a synthetic biologist ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions typically start around $60,000, while experienced professionals or those in senior roles can earn over $130,000 annually.
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Synthetic Biologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Synthetic Biologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,403 per year, or $43 per hour.

Postdoctoral Fellow/ Scientist I , Synthetic Spatial Omics

Biohub

New York, NY • On-site

$53K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Biohub is the first large-scale initiative bringing frontier AI models, massive compute, and frontier experimental capabilities under one roof. We're building a general-purpose system to accelerate scientific discovery, integrating frontier AI models, biological foundation models, and lab capabilities, with the ultimate goal of curing disease. Our technology powers scientists around the world, translating AI capabilities into tools that accelerate research everywhere.
The Team
The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub New York (CZ Biohub NY, https://biohub.org/immune-cell-reprogramming/) is an independent nonprofit research institute that brings together three powerhouse universities - Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, and Yale University - into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine. Biohub itself supports some of the brightest, boldest engineers, data scientists, and biomedical researchers to investigate the fundamental mechanisms underlying disease and develop new technologies that will lead to actionable diagnostics and effective therapies. We are guided by our values of scholarly excellence; disruptive innovation; hands-on engineering/hacking/building; partnership and collaboration; open communication and respect; inclusiveness; and opportunity for all.
Our Vision
  • We pursue large scientific challenges that cannot be pursued in conventional environments
  • We enable individual investigators to pursue their riskiest and most innovative ideas
  • The technologies developed at Biohub facilitate research by scientists and clinicians at our home institutions and beyond

Diversity of thought, ideas, and perspectives are at the heart of Biohub and enable disruptive innovation and scholarly excellence. We are committed to cultivating an organization where all colleagues feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution.
The newly established Laboratory of Synthetic Spatial Omics at CZ Biohub NY (https://biohub.org/synthetic-spatial-omics/) advances our understanding of engineered immune cell function within their native microenvironment to design better cell therapeutic approaches. Toward this goal, we develop and integrate state-of-the-art immune cell engineering, imaging-based and sequencing-based multi-omics, and machine learning/AI frameworks. We bring together scientists with diverse expertise to pursue highly interdisciplinary scientific challenges.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an exceptional Postdoctoral Fellow/ Scientist I focusing on cell engineering with a creative mindset to drive innovative engineering and investigation of programmable immune cells with single-cell spatial precision. The successful candidate will integrate synthetic biology, spatial multi-omics, and systems-level analysis to engineer programmable cellular functions, investigate their activities in situ, and identify the molecular drivers of specific functional states. This position offers the opportunity to translate unconventional ideas toward advancing cell therapies, while developing expertise at the intersection of technology development and fundamental discovery within a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
What You'll Do
  • Computationally design programmable molecular components (e.g., receptors and transcription factors).
  • Engineer immune cells with these components and profile their behavior in tissue using spatial multi-omics (e.g., seqFISH+) to uncover cellular functions and engineering principles.
  • Analyze high-dimensional imaging and sequencing datasets using computational approaches to identify organizational and regulatory principles.
  • Collaborate closely with researchers across genomics, immunology, machine learning, and related disciplines.
  • Contribute to preprints, publications, presentations, and open science practices.
What You'll Bring
  • PhD in Synthetic Biology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering, Immunology or a closely related discipline.
    • 2-4 years of experience post PhD (Scientist I) in synthetic biology, immune engineering, and/or protein design.
    • Experience developing novel experimental technologies.
    • Experience with molecular biology techniques, including cell culture, nucleic acid workflows, and cellular functional assays.
    • Ability to independently design rigorous experiments, troubleshoot complex workflows, and drive projects to completion.
    • Collaborative mindset and strong scientific communication skills.

    Nice to have -
    • Experience developing novel computational technologies.
    • Experience with immune cell engineering and their characterization with animal models.
    • Experience with de novo protein design or protein circuits.
    • Experience with omics technologies and analysis.

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
  • Cover Letter detailing research interests, motivations, and career goals.
  • Full Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting major achievements.
Compensation
The New York City, NY base pay range for a new hire in this role is Postdoctoral Fellow = $93,000.00 & Scientist I = $120,000 - $150,000. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.
This position may be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual performance bonus program. Bonus eligibility and targets are determined in accordance with our total rewards philosophy and may vary by role.
Benefits for the Whole You
We're thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible.
  • Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
  • Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice.
  • Funding for select family-forming benefits.
  • Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you're interested in a role but your previous experience doesn't perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.
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