Research Technician for Mass Spectrometry

Research Technician

Dr. Monther Abu-Remaileh's lab in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Division of Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H) at Stanford University seeks a motivated Research Technician. This position is crucial for conducting analytical work using mass spectrometry to support various lab operations and research initiatives.

The Abu-Remaileh lab explores cellular and organismal adaptation to metabolic stress, investigating how these pathways dysregulate in cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic syndrome. With a strong emphasis on lysosomal biology and disease, our ultimate goal is to engineer novel therapeutic modalities. To drive this research, our team continuously utilizes and develops advanced mass spectrometry techniques to meticulously analyze the lipidome and metabolome, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and patient-tailored therapies.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Research Technician to serve as the central hub for our lipidomics and metabolomics mass spectrometry platform. The successful candidate will independently design and execute complex LC-MS/MS workflows on state-of-the-art Orbitrap and triple quadrupole platforms. Responsibilities include rigorous sample preparation, instrument calibration, stringent quality control, and advanced data processing using specialized software to ensure quantitative rigor and reproducibility. You will work with lab members with experimental design and sample preparation, ensuring high-quality, reproducible data. And collaborate closely with the PI and senior lab members to integrate new technologies and improve overall analytical performance, thereby enhancing the lab's capacity for impactful research. A critical component of this role is analytical method development. The Technician will build, optimize, and validate robust LC-MS/MS acquisition methods—encompassing both targeted (MRM/PRM) and untargeted workflows—while enhancing our quantitative lipidomics pipelines. You will take full ownership of the MS platform's daily operations by monitoring instrument performance metrics, troubleshooting technical issues, coordinating routine maintenance with service providers, and managing project timelines and sample queues for the entire lab.

As the resident MS expert, you will author and maintain detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and actively mentor lab members on mass spectrometry best practices and experimental design. The role also involves managing the inventory of MS-specific reagents and consumables, ensuring safety compliance, and staying current with the latest analytical literature. This position offers an outstanding opportunity to engage deeply in collaborative science, with the expectation of contributing to publications by preparing figures, writing method sections, and presenting data. Comprehensive training will be provided to ensure the new hire achieves absolute proficiency in our current workflows.

Overall, this Research Technician position presents an outstanding opportunity for someone eager to engage deeply in collaborative research.

In This Role, You Will :

• Independently conduct a portion of the research project(s). Make recommendations on experimental design and/or research direction to principal investigator.
• Independently conduct complex (lab and/or field) experiments to gather data for a portion of a major research project.
• Interpret and analyze results, often where few guidelines exist, and make modifications to existing procedures and protocols.
• Develop new research protocols where appropriate protocols are not described in the literature or where modification or adaptation of standard procedures and protocols is required.
• Perform ongoing literature review to remain current with new procedures and related research; apply to ongoing research and development of new protocols.
• Contribute substantively to the preparation of papers for publication, especially in the results section, and to publication of findings. Present ongoing work to colleagues and/or academic conferences.
• Oversee supply and equipment budget under supervision of principal investigator or business manager.
• Work with health and safety department to ensure lab complies with regulations and all required trainings.
• Supervise (either formally or informally) staff or students as needed, including oversight and direction on techniques, as well as consultation on project work. Serve as a technical resource for other research staff.
• Oversee the daily activities of the laboratory including lab maintenance; maintain lab stock, manage chemical inventory and safety records, and provide general lab support as needed. May assist with purchasing laboratory equipment.

Education & Experience (Required) :

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific field and two years of relevant work experience; or Master's degree in a related scientific field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Required) :

• Comprehensive understanding of scientific principles.
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.
• Ability to maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance is essential.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.

Education & Experience (Desired) :

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or Analytical Chemistry
• Minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience operating LC-MS/MS systems (e.g., Orbitrap and/or triple quadrupole platforms) in a research environment.
• Demonstrated experience in lipidomics and/or metabolomics sample preparation and quantitative workflows.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting LC-MS/MS acquisition methods (e.g., targeted MRM/PRM and/or untargeted approaches).
• Experience with mass spectrometry data processing and quantitative analysis software.

Physical Requirements :

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing over 40 pounds.
• Occasionally sit, kneel, crawl, reach and work above shoulders, sort and file paperwork or parts.
• Rarely climb, scrub, sweep, mop, chop and mix or operate hand and foot controls.
• Must have correctable vision to perform duties of the job.
• Ability to bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
• Ability to lift heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a dusty, dirty, and odorous environment.
• Position may require repetitive motion.

Working Conditions :

• May require working in close proximity to blood borne pathogens.
• May require work in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research.
• Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
• Employee must perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses and shoes, protective clothing and gloves, and possibly a respirator.
• May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.

Work Standards :

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,

Pay Range :

The expected pay range for this position is $85,376-$99,581 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford Is For You :

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