Research Technician

Caltech; California (MO); On-site; USD 26,174 - 35,473; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Generous paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A renowned scientific institution in California is seeking a Research Technician to support ongoing structural and functional studies. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with insect and mammalian cell culture, ability to generate constructs and optimize protein production protocols. This role offers an hourly wage of $19.00 - $25.75 and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 2 years of hands-on experience with Sf9 and/or Hi5 cell culture.
• Proficiency in aseptic technique and routine mammalian cell culture.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Generate bacterial, insect cell, and mammalian expression constructs.
• Maintain and passage insect cells and mammalian cell cultures.
• Optimize expression protocols for high-yield protein production.

Skills

Insect cell culture

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular cloning techniques

Protein purification

Immunofluorescence microscopy

Western blotting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or related field

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

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Research Technician with extensive hands-on experience in insect cell culture (Sf9 and Hi5) using the baculovirus expression system and mammalian cell culture across diverse cell lines. The successful candidate will support ongoing structural and functional studies of protein complexes by producing high-quality recombinant proteins in both insect and mammalian systems.

• Generate bacterial, insect cell, and mammalian expression constructs (basic molecular cloning techniques required).
• Maintain and passage insect cells (Sf9 and Hi5) and mammalian cell cultures under sterile conditions.
• Generate and amplify recombinant baculoviruses for protein expression in Sf9 and Hi5 cells.
• Transfect and maintain various mammalian cell lines (e.g., HEK293, HTC116, Vero, HeLa) for transient and stable expression.
• Optimize expression protocols for high-yield protein production in both systems.
• Perform small- and large-scale protein expression experiments.
• Harvest cells and assist with downstream, protein purification (modern chromatography methods).
• Perform immunofluorescence microscopy to assess protein localization.
• Conduct SDS-PAGE gel analysis and western blotting, as part of routine experiments.
• Maintain detailed records of all experiments, protocols, and cell line inventories.
• Participate in general lab maintenance (organization, restocking, and generating shared reagents).
• Support researchers with other tasks as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• 2 years of hands-on experience with Sf9 and/or Hi5 cell culture and baculovirus-based protein expression.
• Proficiency in aseptic technique and routine mammalian cell culture.
• Familiarity with restriction enzyme cloning, western blotting, SDS-PAGE gel analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy, protein purification.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling up insect and/or mammalian cultures using flasks.
• Familiarity with serum-free media, virus titering, and MOI optimization.
• Understanding of basic molecular cloning and transfection techniques.
• Protein purification abilities are a plus but not necessary.
• Prior experience in academic or industrial protein production environments.

Required Documents

• Resume

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.

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] .