Lab Manager

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lab Manager at California Institute of Technology will oversee the administrative, operational, and research support functions of the lab in Pasadena, including mouse colony oversight, procurement, budgeting, and safety.

The role requires an MS in a life sciences field with extensive lab administration experience and hands-on experience in animal handling and research operations. You will train staff, manage inventories, and ensure compliance with OLAR and EH&S.

Qualifications

• MS in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or related life sciences with 8+ years in lab ops.
• Experience with animal handling and mouse genetics is required.
• Proficient in procurement, budgeting, and vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee mouse colony, breeding, genotyping, and inspections in line with animal care regs.
• Train staff in animal handling, cell line development, tissue collection, and histology.
• Manage inventories of plasmids, cell lines, enzymes, antibodies, and chemicals.

Skills

Mouse colony oversight

Budget tracking

Regulatory compliance

Procurement management

Lab safety

Staff training

Education

MS in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or related life sciences

Job description

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 Lab Manager will oversee and coordinate the administrative, operational, and research support functions of a laboratory, including mouse colony oversight, regulatory compliance, procurement, budget tracking, and laboratory safety. The incumbent will provide technical expertise, train and support laboratory personnel, and perform experimental procedures as needed to advance the laboratory's research objectives.

• Manage and oversee the laboratory mouse colony, including breeding, genotyping, recordkeeping, and coordination with OLAR to ensure compliance with animal care regulations and successful inspections.
• Train, supervise, and provide technical guidance to research personnel in animal handling procedures, cell line development, tissue collection, and histological techniques. Support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in experimental planning and execution.
• Administer and maintain laboratory resources, including plasmid, cell line, enzyme, antibody, and chemical inventories; establish procedures to ensure proper storage, tracking, and availability of research materials.
• Coordinate laboratory procurement activities, equipment maintenance, vendor interactions, and service contracts. Evaluate purchasing options to support operational efficiency while maintaining cost-effective use of laboratory resources.
• Monitor laboratory expenditures, reconcile P-Card transactions, track grant-funded purchases, and maintain financial records to support budget management and reporting requirements.
• Serve as Laboratory Safety Officer, developing and implementing safety procedures, coordinating required training, maintaining compliance documentation, and ensuring adherence to institutional and regulatory safety standards.
• Participate in the discussion and implementation of research protocols and objectives, collaborating with laboratory personnel to support experimental design, execution, and troubleshooting as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• MS in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related life sciences field, with a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in research laboratory operations, including cell biology, mouse genetics, and laboratory administration.
• Advanced knowledge of molecular and cellular biology research methodologies, with the ability to evaluate laboratory supply, reagent, and equipment needs in support of research objectives and operational requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory procurement, budgeting, and financial administration, including the use of institutional purchasing systems, procurement cards, and vendor management processes.
• Thorough knowledge of animal research regulations and laboratory safety requirements, including experience supporting compliance with OLAR and EH&S policies, inspections, and reporting requirements.
• Experience training and providing technical guidance to laboratory personnel in animal handling, laboratory procedures, research techniques, and compliance-related activities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage laboratory resources, maintain accurate records, coordinate multiple priorities, and support efficient laboratory operations in a research environment.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$37.50 - $53.56 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

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and, as a federal contractor, takes affirmative action to employ qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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 [e-mail] .

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 [e-mail] .