Research Technician I / II

San Diego BioMed; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

San Diego BioMed is seeking a Research Technician to support NK cell and ADCC imaging projects in a dynamic biomedical lab in San Diego, CA. The role combines hands‑on cell culture, protein production, and molecular biology with independent projects and potential authorship on publications.

The candidate should have a B.S. in a related field, 0–2 years for a Technician I or 2+ years for Technician II, and comfort with documentation, data analysis, and team collaboration.

Qualifications

• B.S. in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology or related field.
• 0–2 years for Research Technician I; minimum 2 years for Technician II.
• Hands‑on wet‑lab and mammalian cell culture experience is highly desired.
• Familiarity with standard molecular biology and protein methods.
• Careful, accurate record keeping and organized notebook.
• Strong organizational skills and reliability with a regular schedule.
• Ability to work independently and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mammalian cell culture (cell lines, authenticated, mycoplasma‑free, regularly banked).
• Prepare samples for super‑resolution imaging (slide/coverslip prep, fixation, staining, labeling).
• Express and purify recombinant proteins, antibodies, and nanobodies.
• Perform routine molecular biology, including cloning, PCR, transfection, sequencing.
• Process primary human blood products.
• Perform in‑vitro cell assays, flow cytometry, SDS‑PAGE, protein chromatography.
• Support and collaborate with postdocs on their workflows (image collection, processing, analysis).
• Provide general lab management and support (electronic lab notebook, protocols, inventory, glassware cleaning, autoclaving).
• Perform other duties as may be required.

Skills

Wet-lab experience

Mammalian cell culture

Record keeping

Independent worker

Education

B.S. in biology/biochemistry/immunology/microbiology or related field

Tools

PCR

Job description

About San Diego BioMed:

San Diego BioMed (SDB) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute located in San Diego, California, within walking distance to Scripp Research, Salk Institute, Sanford Burnham, and UC San Diego. The mission of SDB is to conduct fundamental biomedical research to better understand human disease, and to use this information to contribute to the treatment and prevention of diabetes, cancer, neurological disease, HIV infection and complications of chronic disease. The Principal Investigators at SDB are accomplished scientists and well‑known and recognized in their areas of expertise. SDB is in the heart of San Diego’s science park area, which is part of the largest and most concentrated centers of science, engineering, and medicine in the United States. Further information on SDB can be found at https://sdbri.org.

Position and Project Overview:

The Murin Lab (www.murinlab.com) is seeking a motivated Research Technician to support our studies of how antibodies direct natural killer (NK) cell killing of virus‑infected and tumor cells. We combine super‑resolution and single‑molecule fluorescence microscopy (including MINFLUX nanoscopy, one of the newest imaging technologies available) with protein engineering, real‑time cytotoxicity assays, and primary immune cell work to define the molecular rules of antibody‑dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).

This role has two halves. The first is direct support of a postdoctoral researcher driving our NIH‑funded super‑resolution imaging program: cell culture, sample preparation, protein and antibody production, and molecular biology. The second is your own set of independent projects that feed the larger effort: developing cell conjugate imaging, running in vitro ADCC experiments, and collecting and analyzing confocal and STED imaging data. You will be a scientist on these projects, not just a pair of hands, and successful contributions lead to authorship on publications.

This position is well suited to someone who recently finished a B.S. and is planning to apply to graduate school, or to an experienced technician looking to add advanced imaging and immunology to their skill set.

Essential Job Duties:

• Maintain mammalian cell culture (cell lines, keep autheniticated, mycoplasma‑free, regularly banked)
• Prepare samples for super‑resolution imaging (slide/coverslip prep, fixation, staining, labeling)
• Express and purify recombinant proteins, antibodies, and nanobodies
• Perform routine molecular biology, including cloning, PCR, transfection, sequencing
• Process primary human blood products
• Perform in‑vitro cell assays, flow cytometry, SDS‑PAGE, protein chromatography
• Support and work with postdoc on their workflows (including image collection, processing, analysis)
• Provide general lab management and support (maintain electronic lab notebook, develop protocols, organize and order general lab supplies, maintain inventory, glassware cleaning, autoclaving)
• Perform other duties as may be required

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology or a related field
• 0‑2 years of relevant laboratory experience for the Research Technician I level; minimum 2 years for the Research Technician II level
• Some hands‑on wet‑lab and mammalian cell culture experience highly desired
• Familiarity with standard molecular biology and protein methods
• Careful, accurate record keeping and a demonstrated ability to keep an organized notebook
• Strong organizational skills and reliability (consistent day‑to‑day schedule)
• Ability to work independently on assigned projects while communicating clearly and often

Preferred Qualifications (preference given to these candidates):

• Experience with light microscopy imaging techniques (confocal, TIRF, super‑resolution)
• Substantiate undergraduate research experience (independent lab experience, honors thesis, publication record)
• Experience with primary human cells, flow cytometry, and/or recombinant protein expression
• Basic scripting or data analysis skills

Note: No candidate is expected to arrive with all of these. Solid bench fundamentals, genuine curiosity, and a track record of following a project through matter more than any single technique on this list.

Pay Range:

This position may be filled at either of two levels depending on the experience of the selected candidate. Applicants should apply once; we will evaluate fit for both levels.

• Research Technician I: $20.67 - $21.64 per hour (43,000-$45,000 annually based on a 40‑hour workweek).
• Research Technician II: $23.56 - $25.96 per hour (49,000-$54,000 annually based on a 40‑hour workweek).

Benefits:

• San Diego BioMed offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long‑term disability, paid time off, and a generous employer match to the retirement plan. The work environment at San Diego BioMed is one that fosters and promotes collaboration and inclusivity.

SDBRI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity in regard to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting the most qualified individuals, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, registered domestic partner status, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, age, disability, protected veteran status, medical condition including genetic characteristics, or any other protected status as designed by federal, state, or local law.