Manager of Kerckhoff Marine Lab Operations

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) invites applications for the Manager of Kerckhoff Marine Lab Operations. The role oversees daily operations, facilities, staff, budgets, partnerships, educational programs, and research-support services to ensure a high-quality environment for researchers and visitors.

This essential reporting position collaborates with scientists, educators, and community partners to expand facility utilization and increase impact of KML, while supporting fundraising

Qualifications

• Master of Science (M.S.) in Marine Sciences or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience managing a marine laboratory or equivalent facility.
• Experience managing laboratory operations and providing research support resources to faculty, researchers and students.
• Experience maintaining seawater systems and marine laboratory infrastructure.
• Experience supervising staff, students, volunteers, or facility users.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and SCUBA certification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations, facilities, staff, budgets, and partnerships for Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory (KML).
• Coordinate research activities and support visiting researchers and collaborations.
• Develop educational programs, field courses, workshops, tours, and student learning opportunities.
• Manage volunteer program including recruitment, onboarding and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, EH&S requirements and regulatory guidelines.

Education

Master of Science in Marine Sciences or related field

Job description

Manager of Kerckhoff Marine Lab Operations Job Category Fulltime Regular ExemptOvertimeEligible Exempt Benefits Eligible Benefit Based

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 role oversees the laboratory's daily operations, facilities, staff, budgets, partnerships, educational programs, and research-support services, ensuring a high-quality environment for researchers and visitors. This position collaborates with scientific, educational, and community partners to expand facility utilization, enhance program offerings, and advance the impact and visibility of the Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory (KML).

This is an Essential Reporting position. An employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery, and is expected to report to campus as soon as possible.

• Manages day-to-day operations, research-support activities, educational programs, outreach initiatives, partnerships, and facility services that support KML's mission and objectives.
• Oversees facility utilization, scheduling, infrastructure maintenance, space allocation, and operational readiness for research, educational programs, events, and external users.
• Coordinates research activities, supports visiting researchers, facilitates collaborations, and identifies opportunities to increase research activity and facility utilization.
• Provides direct supervision of assigned staff, including workload management, training, mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
• Manages the volunteer program, including recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, supervision, and recognition of volunteers.
• Oversees operational, research-support, educational, outreach, and facility-based programs to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Develops and monitors budgets; recommends resource allocation, procurement priorities, equipment purchases, and operational investments to support program and facility needs.
• Leads the planning and implementation of technologies, systems, equipment upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and facility enhancement projects.
• Develops, coordinates, and delivers educational programs, field courses, workshops, tours, and student learning opportunities.
• Develops and implements outreach initiatives to increase engagement with students, educators, researchers, community organizations, and external stakeholders.
• Plans and coordinates conference workshops, meetings, tours, special events, and other activities hosted by KML.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with marine laboratories, universities, scientific organizations, governmental agencies, and external partners.
• Represents KML in interactions with scientific, educational, community, and marine laboratory organizations.
• Participates in short- and long-range planning related to facility operations, programs, resource allocation, infrastructure needs, and service expansion.
• Supports fundraising activities, donor engagement, sponsorship opportunities, partnership development, and revenue-generating initiatives that enhance KML programs and operational sustainability.
• Develops and implements initiatives that increase awareness, visibility, utilization, and impact of KML facilities, programs, and services.
• Monitors operational performance and recommends process improvements to enhance efficiency, safety, customer service, and program effectiveness.
• Ensures compliance with applicable institutional policies, environmental health and safety requirements, operational procedures, and regulatory guidelines.

Basic Qualifications

• Master of Science (M.S.) or higher in Marine Sciences or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience managing a marine laboratory, field station, research facility, or comparable scientific or academic operation.
• Experience managing laboratory operations and providing research support resources to faculty, researchers, students, and external users.
• Experience maintaining seawater systems, marine laboratory infrastructure, scientific equipment, or specialized research support facilities.
• Experience supporting marine field research activities, including sample collection and coordination of field operations.
• Experience conducting laboratory analyses and supporting research involving marine organisms, ecological systems, or related scientific disciplines.
• Experience supervising staff, students, volunteers, or facility users, including training, mentoring, workload coordination, and operational oversight.
• Experience administering and implementing new technologies, operational systems, equipment, or process improvements.
• Experience managing budgets, procurement, resource allocation, and operational planning.
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships with researchers, educational institutions, scientific organizations, and external partners.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds and become SCUBA certified.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$105,000 - $142,500 Per Year
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] .