Senior Research Associate

California Institute of Technology; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 40,983 - 51,315; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

The California Institute of Technology is seeking a Senior Research Associate for the Shapiro Laboratory to enhance molecular technologies. The successful candidate will advance in vivo projects through surgical expertise and laboratory collaboration.

Key responsibilities include managing animal experiments, performing surgeries, and maintaining safety procedures. Strong organizational skills and a commitment to animal welfare are essential. The role offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits in Pasadena, CA.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent research experience required.
• Minimum 2 years in vivo experience with laboratory mice.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage animal colony counts and transfers.
• Conduct independent surgeries and post-surgery monitoring.
• Prepare tissue samples and perform fluorescence IHC.

Skills

Organizational skills

Technical troubleshooting

Animal welfare commitment

Education

Master's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, or related field

Tools

Fluorescence immunohistochemistry

Confocal microscopy

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

The Shapiro Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology develops molecular and cellular technologies to enable non-invasive imaging and control of biological processes. We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join our team and help us accomplish this research mission. The successful candidate will push forward multiple rodent in vivo projects by serving as a surgical expert, contributing to daily laboratory operations and experimental design, assisting with in vitro experimental workflows, and helping maintain shared research facilities. This role involves rodent surgery, molecular biology support, shared project ownership, and laboratory safety oversight.

The Senior Research Associate will be an integral member of the laboratory alongside the lab manager, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students to ensure efficient laboratory operations and contribute to ongoing research projects. As part of their research project contributions, they may be awarded co-authorship on scientific publications.

Additional information about the Shapiro group can be found at http://shapirolab.caltech.edu.

Essential Job Duties: Animal Colony Management, Laboratory Safety, Waste Management, and Compliance

• Manage the laboratory's colony of experimental mice, including animal counts, transfers, and orders.
• Coordinate animal experiment needs with lab members and ensure an appropriate supply.
• Maintain and organize lab supplies and shipments.
• Manage CBIC waste streams and submit service tickets for hazardous waste pickup.
• Assist with the drafting and amendment of animal use protocols.
• Serve as a liaison to the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources.

In Vivo Experiments

• Perform independent mouse surgeries for multiple projects. Experience in stereotaxic surgery and cranial window implantation preferred.
• Perform injections: SC, IP, IC, tail vein, retroorbital.
• Perform mammalian cell culture experiments, including vector packaging and/or T-cell/neuron harvest.
• Post-surgery monitoring.
• Keep detailed record of controlled substance use.
• Prepare tissue samples and perform fluorescence immunohistochemistry (IHC) and imaging using confocal microscopy.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Neuroscience, Biochemistry or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
• Minimum 2 years hands‑on in vivo experience working with laboratory mice in a biological or biomedical research laboratory.
• Strong organizational and record‑keeping skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced research setting.
• Working knowledge of IACUC guidelines, laboratory safety practices, and chemical handling procedures.
• Strong commitment to animal welfare with professionalism, compassion, and sound judgment.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency with tail vein injection, stereotaxic procedures, and cranial implantation.
• Background in genetic engineering, behavioral study, and flow cytometry is a plus.
• Proactive involvement in drafting and amending IACUC protocols.
• Experience with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence tissue staining.
• Experience with confocal microscopy or confocal imaging analysis.
• Demonstrated independent end-to‑end ownership of a research project.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$29.75 - $37.25 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. To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

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].