Jobs at Pioreactor
Wet-Lab Assistant
Part time contract
On-site in our Uptown Waterloo headquarters
$23.50 / hour
Pioreactor is rethinking how microbiology experiments are automated, with a focus on making bioreactors accessible, flexible, and fun to work with. We are looking for a part-time wet-lab assistant to help us design, set up, and run microbiology experiments at our Waterloo office.
What you will be doing
- Helping design experiments to test new Pioreactor hardware and features
- Setting up and running experiments in our office
- Preparing media and inoculating microbial cultures
- Cleaning and maintaining lab equipment
- Collecting and interpreting experimental data
- Getting creative with the equipment and materials available to solve experimental problems
What we are looking for
- An undergraduate or master’s student in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field
- Significant hands-on wet-lab experience, through coursework, research, or other lab work
- Experience with autoclaves, pipettes, microbial cultures, or bioreactors is a plus
- Availability for approximately 10 hours per week, scheduled flexibly between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays
Other details
- This is an on-site position at our Uptown Waterloo office
- There is no on-site parking, so walking, biking, or public transit is preferred
How to apply
Email Cam at cam@pioreactor.com with:
- A short introduction about yourself and why you are interested
- Your resume
Mechanical engineer / industrial designer / mechatronics engineer
Full time
On-site in our Uptown Waterloo headquarters
Salary: $75k and up / year
At Pioreactor, we ship products that people rely on for serious research and education. We are expanding our biology product lines, and need a strong engineer to complement our software and electrical skills. We are looking for an experienced mechanical engineer, industrial designer, or mechatronics engineer to help build the next evolution of our products.
What you would be doing
- Designing and iterating on our next-generation bioreactors.
- Working with our 3D printer farm, including Prusa XLs and Core Ones.
- Optimizing for small-scale manufacturing and designing jigs, fixtures, and processes that improve manufacturing consistency.
- Designing and testing mechanisms that move small amounts of liquid reliably, including pumps, tubing, fittings, seals, and pressure-sensitive components.
- Tracking new technologies, including sensors, materials, prints, and mechanisms, and translating them into practical experiments or prototype builds.
What we are looking for
- 2+ years working as a mechanical engineer, industrial designer, mechatronics engineer, or similar hardware-focused role.
- Experience with CAD software. We use Fusion in-house.
- Experience designing or testing systems involving pumps, small liquid volumes, tubing, pressure, seals, or related fluid-handling components.
- Experience with 3D printing, such as FDM, SLS, or SLA.
- A practical build-test-iterate mindset, especially for small products with tight mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with Python, or practical programming ability in another language.
- Experience with CNC machines and laser cutters.
- Experience with soldering.
- Some biology or chemistry background or experience.
- Experience designing for products that need to be assembled, tested, repaired, and shipped repeatedly.
How to apply
Email Cam, CEO, at cam@pioreactor.com with:
- Your resume. No CV needed.
- A description of something you built or improved, such as hardware, a process, documentation, tests, or manufacturing tooling.
- Optional: portfolio, GitHub, photos, CAD screenshots, or examples of prototypes you have built.