Research Technician

Caltech 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. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Research Technician will support mammalian synthetic biology and signaling pathway research through hands-on mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, flow cytometry sample preparation, data organization, and reagent documentation under the guidance of senior lab members.

Essential Job Duties

• Cell culture and cell-based experiments: Assist with mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, passaging, cell counting, cyropreservation/thawing, transfection, drug or ligand stimulation, and multi-day reporter assays.
• Molecular biology and cloning support: Assist with Golden Gate Assembly and/or Gibson assembly, bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation, restriction digest, gel analysis, sequencing preparation, and related documentation.
• Flow cytometry support: Prepare samples for flow cytometry, assist with data acquisition, and organize flow cytometry data for review.
• Data organization and analysis support: Help organize experimental data and prepare basic figures or summaries using established lab workflows.
• Lab support and documentation: Assist with cell-line records, reagent organization, inventory cataloging, and general lab documentation.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related life sciences field.
• Minimum of 1-year hands-on experience with mammalian tissue culture, including aseptic technique, passaging, media preparation, cell counting, cryopreservation/thawing, and cell-line maintenance.
• Minimum of 1-year experience in advanced mammalian cell-culture, stem cell culture, and/or iPSC culture techniques.
• Minimum of 1-year experience with Golden Gate Assembly, Gibson Assembly, plasmid preparation, bacterial transformation, restriction digest, and gel analysis.
• Minimum of 1-year experience with cell-based experiments involving transfection, drug, or ligand stimulation, fluorescent reporter readouts, and flow cytometry sample preparation.
• Ability to follow detailed protocols, keep accurate records, communicate clearly, and work carefully in a collaborative research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mammalian synthetic biology, gene regulation, signaling pathway research, or engineered reporter systems.
• Experience culturing mammalian cell lines such as U2OS, Jurkat, 293T, iPSCs, or other adherent or suspension cell lines.
• Experience with stem-cell-related techniques, including iPSC culture training, embryoid body formation, feeder-layer culture, immunocytochemistry, viability assessment, and morphology assessment.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry instruments such as CytoFLEX and/or basic analysis using FlowJo.
• Familiarity with RNA isolation, qPCR, Python, R, or basic scientific data analysis.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$19.00 - $25.75 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.


As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at View email address on click.appcast.io.