Lab Technician

THIS IS CRADLE

Proteins are the molecular machines of life, used for many therapeutic, diagnostic, chemical, agricultural and food applications. Designing and optimizing proteins takes a lot of expert knowledge and manual effort, through the use of custom computational and biological tools.

Machine learning is revolutionizing this space, by enabling high-fidelity protein models. At Cradle, we offer a software platform for AI-guided discovery and optimization of proteins, so that biologists can design proteins faster and at scale. We are already used by clients across biopharma, biotech, agri-tech, food-tech, and academia.

We're an experienced team of around 75 people. We've built many successful products before and have enough funding for multiple years of runway. We are distributed across two main locations, Zurich and Amsterdam, and are focused on building the best possible team culture.

We offer our employees a very competitive salary, a generous equity stake in the company and a wide range of benefits and career progression opportunities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a Laboratory Technician to help keep our lab running smoothly and ensure continuity of experiments that extend through the weekend. You'll prepare media, manage supplies, maintain a clean and organized workspace, and handle ongoing cell culture work such as seeding and passaging. You'll play a key role in ensuring the lab remains operational and data stays reliable while supporting the bio team's ongoing research.

This is a full-time on-site position at Cradle's lab in Amsterdam that may require occasional weekend work. Candidates must live in or near Amsterdam.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lab Maintenance & Support

• Maintain a tidy, safe, and well-organized laboratory according to ML-1 and ML-2 standards and 5S principles.

• Restock consumables, reagents, and media; update inventory records.

• Perform daily equipment checks and assist with general lab upkeep.

• Handle biological and chemical waste according to safety protocols.

• Set up, clean, and maintain lab instruments such as balances, pipettes, and pH meters.

• Write and update SOPs, protocols, and experiment documentation.

• Provide general administrative support to the Lab Manager as needed.

Media & Buffer Preparation

• Prepare, sterilize, and label media and buffers.

• Record batch details accurately and track expiry dates.

Cell Culture Operations

• Maintain and passage mammalian cell lines using aseptic techniques.

• Monitor bacterial and yeast cell growth, perform media changes, and record observations.

• Document all work and provide clear handovers on Mondays.

Data Review & Reporting

• Routinely review experimental data and records for accuracy and completeness.

• Flag discrepancies to the responsible scientists.

• Support routine QC tracking and documentation efforts.

General Office Support

• Help with day-to-day office needs such as ordering lunch, keeping the pantry stocked, and ensuring the kitchen area stays clean and tidy.

YOUR PROFILE

Education & Experience

• MBO-3/4, HBO, BSc, or equivalent degree in Biotechnology, Laboratory Science, or a related field.

• Familiarity with aseptic techniques and routine lab operations.

• Experience with mammalian cell culture is a strong plus.

Skills & Attitude

• Organized, precise, and safety-conscious.

• Proactive communicator who keeps colleagues informed.

• Comfortable working independently during quieter lab hours.

• Fluent in English (Dutch is a plus).

Our commitment to inclusive hiring

Cradle evaluates all candidates based on merit, regardless of sex, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background, or any other aspect of identity. We maintain zero tolerance for discrimination and actively encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

AI disclosure

Cradle uses an applicant tracking system that includes basic AI-assisted features which may generate scores or rankings based on how applications match a job description. These outputs are not used to make or meaningfully influence hiring decisions — all candidates are evaluated through a thorough, human-led review by our recruiting team.

A notice about recruitment scams

Please be aware that scammers are posing as us in order to get your personal details or money. We only communicate via @cradle.bio http://cradle.bio email addresses, we only make job offers after having met you in person at our office in Zurich or Amsterdam, and we never ask you to pay for anything during the interview process.