# Molecular Design & DNA Nanotechnology Lead

**Company:** [Astera](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/astera)
**Location:** Emeryville, CA
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $180k – $200k/yr
**Skills:** dna origami, oxdna, cadnano, molecular dynamics simulation, wet lab techniques, atomic force microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence, dna nanotechnology, biophysics
**Posted:** 2026-07-23

> Lead the design and wet-lab fabrication of a DNA-origami electrostatic actuator using molecular dynamics simulations (oxDNA) and nanoscale characterization techniques. Requires PhD and hands-on DNA-origami experience to lead a small interdisciplinary team developing functional nanodevices.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Design the DNA-origami actuator mechanism — the charged drive plate, the force-transmitting structure, and the amplifying lever or four-bar linkage — that turns a small electrostatic deflection of the plate into a larger, controlled output displacement within a sub-200-nanometer footprint.
- Use coarse-grained molecular-dynamics simulation (e.g., oxDNA) to predict the mechanism's mechanical behavior — stiffness, compliance, and thermal stability of its motion — and iterate the design.
- Fold and optimize the DNA origami in the wet lab (annealing, buffer, and magnesium conditions), and design the site-specific chemistry that anchors the plate and mechanism to the device surface.
- Own folding yield and quality control, and prepare structures for characterization by atomic-force microscopy (AFM), cryo-electron microscopy, and single-molecule fluorescence.
- Lead a small, interdisciplinary founding team and collaborate closely with device-physics, controls, and computational colleagues.

## Qualifications
- PhD in structural DNA nanotechnology, biophysics, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field, with demonstrated DNA-origami design and folding experience.
- Proficiency with DNA-nanostructure design tools and coarse-grained molecular-dynamics simulation (e.g., caDNAno, oxDNA).
- Hands-on wet-lab command of folding, gel and AFM quality control, and purification.
- A track record of taking nanoscale structures from design through to characterized, functional devices.
- Ability to lead a small interdisciplinary team and communicate across disciplines.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Bias to action – launch and iterate on thoughtful experiments rather than waiting for perfect plans.
- Flexible by default – role expected to evolve significantly over 6–12 months.
- High standards, internally driven.
- Highest levels of integrity, judgment, and stewardship.
- Embrace AI-driven tools as force multipliers.

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