Laboratory Technician I - Laboratory of Dr. Joyce

Salk Institute for Biological Studies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Patient advocacy services

Transit/parking program

Job summary

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego is seeking an entry-level Laboratory Assistant to support routine laboratory operations and safety protocols in a fast-paced bioscience environment.

No professional experience is required. A high school diploma or GED, basic computer skills (Word and Excel), and a willingness to learn will help you succeed as you assist with reagents, inventory, and basic experiments under guidance.

Qualifications

• No professional experience is required.
• High school diploma or GED, or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Word and Excel, or other word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Undergraduate course work in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences preferred.
• Prior experience in a biology or chemistry lab setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct basic experiments under the guidance of the Sr. Staff Scientist, which can include preparative RNA synthesis and purification, chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry experiments, and DNA sequencing library preparation.
• Prepare and maintain common laboratory stocks and reagents, ensuring proper documentation and protocol adherence.
• Monitor and resupply laboratory inventories of common research supplies and disposables.
• Assist in the maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Report any malfunctioning equipment or potential safety hazards promptly to the supervisor.
• Record experimental data accurately and maintain detailed laboratory records.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines to ensure a safe working environment.
• Follow laboratory policies and procedures, including proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Participate in safety training and maintain awareness of potential risks in the laboratory.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Basic lab skills

MS Word

MS Excel

Education

High school diploma or GED

Some related experience or training (1–3 months)

Tools

None

Job description

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Conduct basic experiments under the guidance of the Sr. Staff Scientist, which can include preparative RNA synthesis and purification, chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry experiments, and DNA sequencing library preparation.


• Prepare and maintain common laboratory stocks and reagents, ensuring proper documentation and protocol adherence.


• Monitor and resupply laboratory inventories of common research supplies and disposables.


• Assist in the maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of laboratory equipment.


• Report any malfunctioning equipment or potential safety hazards promptly to the supervisor.


• Record experimental data accurately and maintain detailed laboratory records.


• Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines to ensure a safe working environment.


• Follow laboratory policies and procedures, including proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials.


• Participate in safety training and maintain awareness of potential risks in the laboratory.


• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What We Require

• No professional experience is required.


• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Computer skills required: Microsoft Word and Excel, or other word processing and spreadsheet software.


• Undergraduate course work in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences preferred.


• Prior experience in a biology or chemistry lab setting preferred.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $17.75 to $18.00 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. 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, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym \"I CARE\" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

• Any combination of characteristics.


• A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.


• A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.