SecureDNA is seeking a Bioinformatics and Outreach Associate to join our small, mission-driven team protecting the global bioeconomy through privacy-preserving DNA synthesis screening. This role blends scientific analysis with external communication, helping ensure that our screening system remains accurate, up to date with evolving standards, and easy for providers worldwide to adopt.
The responsibilities and qualifications below outline the core scope of the role. Final responsibilities may be tailored based on the experience and strengths of the selected candidate.
Responsibilities
Standards and Regulatory Alignment
- Track external standards, working group outputs, and emerging best practices in DNA synthesis screening.
- Translate regulatory and policy developments into clear, actionable screening rules to support global provider compliance.
Technical Interpretation and Support
- Review and interpret screening results, providing clear explanations to users about why sequences triggered.
- Create biotech-friendly guidance to help customers navigate denials, SoC matches, and screening logic.
Test and Evasion Analysis
- Design, maintain, and document evasion-focused test datasets to evaluate screening robustness.
- Identify weaknesses or gaps in screening performance and work with the engineering team to refine system behavior.
Provider Outreach and Onboarding
- Support adoption by assisting new users during evaluation and integration.
- Apply outreach playbooks, answer questions, and help ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Serve as a bridge between external policy conversations and internal development teams.
- Translate insights from standards bodies, consortia, and regulatory environments into updates for screening rules and user-facing materials.
Qualifications
Required
- Background in bioinformatics, computational biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a closely related field (degree or equivalent experience).
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret biological data pipelines and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to explain technical results to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
- Comfortable engaging directly with external partners, including researchers, synthesis providers, and policymakers.
- Organized, reliable, and able to manage multiple ongoing workstreams in a remote environment.
- Self-motivated and collaborative, with an interest in contributing to a small, international team.
Preferred
- Experience with DNA sequence analysis, screening pipelines, or detection of sequences of concern.
- Familiarity with regulatory or policy frameworks in biotechnology, biosecurity, or related areas.
- Previous involvement in standards bodies, industry working groups, or research consortia.
- Experience writing clear explanations of technical concepts for users, customers, or developers.
- Comfort with both computational tasks and outward-facing communication.
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