Molecular Biology Technician - Temporary

Debut; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Debut Biotechnology seeks a Molecular Biology Technician to support the research and production teams by preparing microbial growth media, plates, and stock solutions.

This temporary role requires hands-on lab work, including glassware cleaning, autoclaving, and reagent preparation. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and detail-oriented, with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Assignment is 3–6 months.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with 1 year of lab experience or HS diploma with 2 years in lab settings.
• Experience with laboratory equipment and techniques as listed.
• Ability to follow detailed work instructions precisely.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe lab environment.
• Perform glassware cleaning and sterilization.
• Prepare lab reagents and plates according to SOPs.
• Assist with experiment setup, sample collection, and analysis.
• Maintain supplies and notify when materials reorder needed.
• Work off hours and weekends as needed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Record keeping

Attention to detail

Education

Associate degree +1 year

HS Diploma +2 years

Tools

pH meter

Autoclave

Pipetting

Weighing scales

Aseptic technique

Plate pouring

Job description

About Debut

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do - setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world. Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.

About Debut

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do - setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world. Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.

Molecular Biology Technician (Temporary Hire)

Assignment Duration

3-6 months

Summary

Debut Biotechnology is seeking a Molecular Biology Technician to aid in preparing microbial growth media, microbiology plates, and stock solutions. This individual will be a critical contributor to our research and production teams by performing various lab support duties. The role requires multiple hands-on tasks, including cleaning and autoclaving glassware and small equipment. The ideal candidate would be an organized, detail-oriented, proactive, resourceful, and highly motivated team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Essential Functions

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Perform glassware cleaning and sterilization.
• Prepare chemistry/microbiology lab reagents such as buffers, cell growth media, analytical standard solutions, and microbiology plates while following established SOPs
• Assist other team members with experiment setup, sample collection, and analysis.
• Maintain suitable supplies of lab reagents as needed and notify purchasing when raw materials reorders are necessary
• Ability to work off hours and weekends as needed.

Education and Experience

Required

• Associate degree + 1 year of experience; OR High School Diploma/GED + 2 years of experience.
• Experience with laboratory equipment and techniques (pH meter, autoclave, weighing, pipetting, aseptic technique, plate pouring).
• Ability to understand, question, and follow detailed work instructions precisely.
• Ability to perform complex laboratory procedures reproducibly.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and record keeping skills.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time (50% of workday), squat, bend, waist twist, kneel, climb stairs, reach up to shoulder height, and routinely lift/carry/push/pull up to 30 lbs.

Preferred

• 1 year of experience in a microbiology lab or 1-3 years of experience in a research or analytical lab.

Essential Physical Characteristics

• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck.
• Frequent: sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers.
• Frequently uses hands to feel objects or control tools (e.g. pipetting). Laboratory operations require dexterity and care to perform studies as required.
• Occasional: walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and occasional lifting and carrying of files or material weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to work with biohazardous agents (up to BSL2) and chemicals.
• The R&D laboratory will result in exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants.
• The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection, etc.

Condition of Employment

As part of Debut's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check prior to beginning employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.

Debut is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Salary

$17.75 - $23.00 per hour