---
title: 'Senior Research Associate- NGS at Volta Labs, Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-ngs-volta-labs-inc-seaport-district-boston-1ewj9kaq9x1w'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Senior Research Associate- NGS at Volta Labs, Inc.

- **Company:** Volta Labs, Inc.
- **Location:** Seaport District Boston, MA
- **Compensation:** $65k–$75k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-03-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/voltalabs/a2823aa6-ee85-4750-8b0e-0e456050e380

## Job description

## ABOUT US:

Volta Labs is an applications company that is revolutionizing the future of genomics. We are a Boston based, venture-backed biotech startup that makes extracting vital information from biological samples is as simple as pressing a button, through our flagship product Callisto. Our product speeds up processing time for scientists and increases accessibility to important genetic information for patients. Sitting at the intersection of science and engineering, we invite you to join us on our journey to shape the future of genomics, where insatiable curiosity is encouraged and every Voltarian makes an impact.

## THE TEAM:

You'll join a team of innovative thinkers who love to experiment, collaborate, and win together. We are passionate about pushing the boundaries of automation, biology, computing, robotics, design, and user experience to benefit our customers and the world.

Reporting to a Senior Scientist on the team, you will participate in the design and development of genomics sample prep applications. Volta is building a suite of genomics applications for its disruptive digital fluidics sample prep automation platform. We are seeking an energetic, detail-oriented and collaborative individual with a desire to learn and participate in product development in an industry setting. Beyond executing established protocols, this role is ideal for someone who enjoys tinkering—asking why things work the way they do, experimenting thoughtfully, and improving workflows from first principles. You’ll encounter day-to-day experimental and operational challenges where curiosity, creativity, and practical problem-solving matter as much as prior experience.

Day 1 to Year 1

- Execute experiments following good laboratory practice and standard protocols
- Thoroughly document all procedures, data and observations in an electronic lab notebook
- Summarize, present and discuss findings in team meetings
- Actively participate in experimental design, data analysis, and report writing
- Proactively identify inefficiencies, experimental bottlenecks, or recurring issues in lab workflows and propose practical improvements
- Use available tools (including scripting, spreadsheets, or AI-assisted workflows) to automate repetitive tasks, improve data handling, and increase experimental efficiency
- Assist with reagent ordering, inventory, equipment maintenance and general laboratory dutiesMaintain a clean work area and equipment in proper working order

Within the first 3 months, you’ll…

- Ramp up on the Callisto platform, associated genomics workflows, and internal tools.
- Learn and execute core sample prep, library prep, QC, and NGS applications under guidance from senior team members.
- Become comfortable with lab standards, documentation practices, and data analysis workflows.
- Begin contributing to experiments, troubleshooting efforts, and workflow optimization discussions.
- Shadow more experienced team members during experimental design reviews, troubleshooting sessions, or internal demos

Within 6 months you’ll…

- Independently execute and troubleshoot experiments across one or more applications.
- Contribute meaningfully to workflow optimization efforts by identifying bottlenecks, proposing improvements, and validating changes experimentally.
- Use scripting, spreadsheets, or AI-assisted tools to streamline repetitive tasks, data handling, or documentation workflows.
- Help create and refine internal protocols, setup guides, and experimental documentation to improve reproducibility and team efficiency.
- Confidently present data, insights, and recommendations in team meetings and cross-functional discussions.

At 12+ months you’ll…

- Operate as a trusted technical contributor within the Applications team, owning experiments or sub-workflows end-to-end.
- Serve as a go-to resource for specific assays, workflows, or troubleshooting areas.
- Help establish best practices for experimental execution, documentation, and workflow optimization.
- Mentor newer team members through onboarding, experimental execution, or problem-solving approaches.
- Continue improving how work gets done—whether through better experiments, clearer documentation, or smarter use of tools

Our Benefits and Perks:

- Robust Equity Program, to build future wealth through stock options with high growth potential
- Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage, including Medical, Dental, & Vision
- HSA with monthly company contribution, & FSA
- Sponsored Commuter Benefit Plans
- Access to Our 401K Plan, to save for your future
- 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Time Off, because we understand the importance of time off for rest and adventure
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Twice Weekly Company Lunches, office snacks, beverages, & treats
- Monthly Team Happy Hours and regular team outings!

We are an equal opportunity employer and foster diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, and we actively seek out and value diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Even if you don't check every box, but see yourself positively contributing, please apply. Help us build an inclusive community that will change the face of genomics!

## About Volta Labs, Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Volta Labs is a venture-backed genomics startup that automates next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation using a proprietary digital fluidics platform.
- **Entity Type**: Private (venture-backed; last round: Venture Round Jan 2024 – $12.7M)
- **Headquarters**: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Seaport District)
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: Udayan Umapathi (CEO) and Abdul Mohammed (Head of Product & Genomics Applications Development)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Genomics (NGS sample preparation)
- **Target customers**: B2B – academic research labs, clinical diagnostic labs, biopharma R&D, sequencing service providers
- **Mission statement**: "To redefine the boundaries of what's possible in biology by making the extraction of vital information from biological samples as simple as pressing a button."

## Products & Services
- **[Callisto™ Sample Prep System]**: An automated, walk-away platform for NGS library preparation (extraction, library prep, target enrichment). Supports whole genome sequencing, targeted sequencing, and long-read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore). Designed for high sensitivity, low duplication rates, and consistent performance across any sample type and sequencer.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company; total funding of $32.7M as of 2024)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue ~$3.4M (estimated); total funding $32.7M across 5 rounds
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Investors include seed and venture funds (specific lead investors not named in search results); partners include Hartwig Medical Foundation, UMC Utrecht, Norwegian Sequencing Centre, and academic institutions through the Access Program.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 42 employees (stable); expansion into Nordic region (Norway); new long-read sequencing app for Oxford Nanopore; collaboration with Hartwig Medical Foundation for oncology research; Access Program launched for budget-constrained academic labs.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full-stack reinvention**: Unlike competitors that automate only software or robotics, Volta redesigned hardware, software, chemistry, and biology end-to-end.
- **Industry-leading robustness**: >98% success rate across sample types, chemistries, and sequencers, with <3% redo rates for targeted sequencing.
- **Lower operating costs**: Reagent miniaturization and high-density sequencing reduce per-sample cost.
- **Walk-away automation**: No manual oversight needed, freeing scientists to focus on discovery.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expand long-read capabilities** – recent launch of automated library prep for Oxford Nanopore LSK114.
- **Deepen clinical partnerships** – e.g., UMC Utrecht using Callisto for prenatal/postnatal testing.
- **Support academic researchers** – Access Program offers discounted pricing amid budget cuts.
- **Geographic expansion** – growing presence in Europe (Nordic region, Netherlands, Norway).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Anti-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers; "data-driven" decision-making; ideas win on merit, not hierarchy.
- **Work environment**: On-site/hybrid in Boston Seaport lab; emphasis on in-person collaboration for experimental work; flexible schedules tied to experiments but with ownership of work/life balance.
- **Perks**: Venture-backed startup with tangible impact in genomics; opportunity to work across biology, mechanical engineering, software, and chemistry.
- **Engineering culture**: Full-stack innovation; transparency with raw data; high autonomy and ownership.
- **Reviews**: Mixed employee ratings on third-party sites (2.7/5 overall; strengths in career growth 3.1, but lower work-life 2.4 and compensation 2.2) – typical of early-stage startup with intense pace.

## Sources
1. [voltalabs.com](https://www.voltalabs.com/) – Official product and mission info
2. [voltalabs.com/careers](https://www.voltalabs.com/careers) – Culture and career page
3. [voltalabs.com/about-us](https://www.voltalabs.com/about-us) – About the company
4. [linkedin.com/company/volta-labs-inc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/volta-labs-inc) – Company financials, headcount, recent news
5. [jobs.lever.co/voltalabs](https://jobs.lever.co/voltalabs) – Open positions (e.g., Senior Research Associate-NGS, Manufacturing Assembly Technician, Head of Finance, etc.)

## Other roles at Volta Labs, Inc.

- [Join our Talent Community](https://feeny.ai/job/join-our-talent-community-volta-labs-inc-seaport-district-boston-76hzwh9q98sy) — Seaport District Boston, MA