Adaptyv Bio

The Cloud Lab for Protein Designers

Adaptyv Bio is building the next-generation protein foundry, aiming to be the cloud lab for protein designers. Based in the Biopole Life Sciences Campus in Lausanne, Switzerland, the company leverages automation and machine learning to offer a full-stack platform that drastically reduces the time and cost of experimental validation for AI-generated protein designs. By enabling scientists to go from sequence design to experimental data in under three weeks, Adaptyv Bio is addressing a major bottleneck in biotechnology: the slow and tedious process of testing new proteins. Their platform is already being utilized by over 30 companies, including large pharmaceutical firms and frontier AI labs, validating top AI-model-driven protein design efforts.

A Culture of First Principles Thinking

At its core, Adaptyv Bio operates on five key values: First Principles Thinking, Data-driven Engineering, Action-oriented Mindset, Strong Work Ethic, and Positive-sum Thinking. The team is described as highly driven, often being the last ones in their office building, united by a shared mission to make biology more engineerable. They break down complex problems to their fundamental components and prioritize a proactive, results-driven approach. The culture is collaborative but intense, focusing on maximizing productivity by keeping meetings to a minimum and sharing tools and ideas to accelerate progress in protein engineering as a whole.

What You'll Actually Do

Life at Adaptyv Bio is fast-paced and impactful. As a rapidly growing startup, every team member's contribution significantly influences the company's trajectory, whether that involves making a new assay work, training a new machine learning model, or maintaining automated DNA synthesis equipment. The team works closely in state-of-the-art lab facilities with scenic views of Lake Geneva. Because the company is building a physical lab, most roles require an on-site presence to carry out hands-on work, though partial remote work is accommodated when sensible. Employees are encouraged to take on new roles and grow with the company.

Compensation & Benefits

Adaptyv Bio emphasizes fair compensation paired with equity, ensuring that everyone wins together as the company scales. While specific salary bands are not publicly disclosed, the benefits package includes a free membership at a 24/7 gym located just a two-minute walk from the office. The team also enjoys quarterly offsites and team-building activities, such as hiking in the Swiss Alps, snowshoeing, or laser tag, fostering strong bonds outside the lab.

The Interview Process

The interview process at Adaptyv Bio is structured to assess both technical fit and alignment with their core values. It typically begins with a short screening interview with one of the founders. This is followed by a more in-depth interview with the team lead of the specific area you would be joining. The final stage is an in-person visit to their lab and office in Lausanne, where candidates meet the founders and the broader team, often over lunch, to discuss the role in detail and how it fits into Adaptyv's overarching mission.

Why Join / Why Not

Joining Adaptyv Bio offers the rare opportunity to be at the intersection of AI and synthetic biology, working on infrastructure that could fundamentally change how diseases are cured and materials are created. It is an ideal environment for highly motivated individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact startup setting and want to see their work directly influence the company's success. However, it may not be the right fit for those seeking a strict 9-to-5 schedule or a fully remote role, as the strong work ethic and the physical nature of the lab work demand significant dedication and on-site presence in Lausanne.