Research Lab Technician in Human Health and Microbiome
Reference: 11007
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fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating
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of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
The Ismagilov Lab at Caltech is hiring a full-time Research Lab Technician for
a 2-year term position. Reporting to Professor Rustem Ismagilov, the
successful candidate will contribute to the lab's ambitious projects and
collaborations focused on human health. Examples include: discovering within
human tissues the bacteria, fungi, and viruses (and corresponding genes and
pathways) responsible for health and disease; developing novel diagnostic
approaches; investigating the microbial origins of human diseases; developing
tools that improve biological AI models by orders of magnitude; and developing
closed-loop systems that combine robotics and AI for rapid autonomous
experimentation. Additional details about the lab can be found at
https:// ismagilovlab.caltech.edu/. The selected candidate will receive
mentorship and structured training in lab-specific protocols, electronic lab
notebooks, biosafety, sample-tracking, qPCR/ddPCR, sequencing-library quality
control, liquid-handler automation, and data analysis.
Essential Job Duties
Support graduate students, postdocs, and research staff in their projects.
The Technician will be a valued member of project teams and, after
training, will take ownership of specific workflows/processes.
Perform exceptionally high-quality experiments using established
protocols; with training, contribute to experimental design and
troubleshooting.
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 crucial 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 an accurate, complete, and 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.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in science with an educational emphasis in chemistry,
biology, microbiology, or a related field by the start date.
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.
Hands-on lab experience (beyond academic coursework) in microbiology,
molecular biology, and/or biochemistry, such as undergraduate research,
internships, or equivalent experience.
Highly detail-oriented; must have prior experience performing complex
experiments, using standard laboratory techniques, and generating
rigorous, 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 in which multiple active projects are
running in parallel.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact professionally
and productively with faculty, staff, students, and collaborators.
Ambition to learn how to do research at an increasingly higher level,
including how to design high-quality experiments, interpret results, and
answer scientific questions.
Deep curiosity, reliability, and desire for mentorship/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Ambition to undertake rigorous research training before entering 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 or other substantial
contribution to a research project.
Prior experience or undergraduate-level coursework with a basic
programming language for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, R).
Required Documents
Resume (describe relevant experiences and accomplishments).
Cover letter with a) an explicit explanation of your alignment with the
lab's mission; b) a concise example of how you have ensured accuracy,
reproducibility, and careful documentation in your prior research; c) an
explanation of the level of technical mastery of your top three
experimental skills most relevant to this position.
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
eeocselfprintposter.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 [email protected].
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
[email protected].
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