Caltech · 3 weeks ago
Research Lab Technician in Human Health, Microbiome & Automation
Pasadena, CA
Full-time
Onsite
New Grad, Entry Level
$19/hr - $25.75/hrCaltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. The Ismagilov Lab at Caltech is hiring a full-time Research Lab Technician for a 2-year term position, where the successful candidate will contribute to key projects and collaborations in human health, including developing novel tools and investigating microbial origins of human diseases.
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Responsibilities
Assist graduate students, postdocs, and research staff in their projects
Design and perform exceptionally high-quality experiments
Perform automated DNA and RNA extractions from many different sample types, including clinical samples (e.g., saliva, swabs, urine, blood, biopsies)
Perform nucleic acid amplification analyses using standard techniques such as qPCR, ddPCR, RT-qPCR, and RT-ddPCR
Assist with Illumina and Nanopore sequencing library preparations for 16S rRNA gene, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and RNA sequencing
Perform critical sequencing-library quality-control steps
Perform basic microbiology techniques such as bacterial culture, making media, and handling glycerol stocks with aseptic techniques
Analyze raw data and generate figures
Assist with scripting and validating protocols for automated liquid handlers
Maintain the lab’s excellent standards for biosafety and chemical safety
Follow lab procedures for maintaining a neat, detailed electronic lab notebook
Maintain the organization of lab workspaces and maintain stocks of lab supplies
A highly motivated and qualified candidate may additionally develop independent aspects of ongoing projects, while continuing to provide research support to the lab
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in science with an educational emphasis in chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a related field required at the time of application
Strong drive to learn and make a positive impact on the lab and the lab's mission
Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills
Lab experience (beyond academic coursework) in microbiology, molecular biology, and/or biochemistry
Highly detail-oriented; must have prior experience performing complex experiments, using laboratory techniques, and generating reproducible data that others can rely on
Demonstrated ability to learn to perform highly technical workflows in a laboratory setting
Must be able to use sound judgment to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and to shift priorities, as well as effectively solve problems
Must be able to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with all levels of staff
Ambition to learn how to do research at a higher and higher level, including how to design high-quality experiments and definitively answer scientific questions
Preferred
Ambition to enter a top medical or graduate school or a similar high-performance, high-impact environment in industry or academia
Prior experience working at BSL-2
Prior experience performing qPCR and nucleic-acid extractions
Prior experience tracking and/or handling large numbers of samples in parallel
Prior experience handling and processing 96-sample assays, such as 96-well PCR plates or 96-well screening assays
Interest in liquid-handler automation of wet-lab workflows and closed-loop automation systems
Co-authorship on a scientific publication
Prior experience or undergraduate-level coursework with a basic programming language for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, R)
Benefits
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement savings plans
Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.)
Tuition reimbursement
Onsite counseling
Sick time
Company
Caltech
Caltech is a science and engineering research and education institution.
Founded in 1891
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Caltech has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (156)
2024 (95)
2023 (105)
2022 (83)
2021 (30)
2020 (22)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$86.51MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyAlfred P. Sloan Foundation
2024-07-17Grant· $10M
2019-09-27Grant· $75M
2019-01-01Grant· $1.51M
Leadership Team
Frances Arnold
Linus Pauling Professor
John Preskill
Professor of Theoretical Physics
Recent News
2025-12-17
PhysOrg.com
2025-12-03
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