Molecular Technologies Specialist

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

This position is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Molecular Technologies (MT) resource (www.moleculartechnologies.org) within the Beckman Institute at Caltech. Molecular Technologies develops and supports next-generation programmable molecular technologies for reading out and regulating the state of endogenous biological circuitry in an anatomical context.

Essential Job Duties

• Synthesize and QC-test molecular kits for users of the MT resource.
• Provide technical support to users of the MT resource (e.g., in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry).
• Give presentations to orient new users on Molecular Technologies resource offerings.
• Correspond with Molecular Technologies users by email.
• Perform wet lab experiments to validate and optimize next-generation technologies (e.g., RNA in situ hybridization, DNA in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, imaging molecular complexes, fluorescence microscopy, cell culture, flow cytometry).
• Maintain protocols and coordinate approvals (e.g., IBC, IACUC).
• Participate in research meetings and discussions.
• Contribute materials for publications, grant proposals, and annual reports.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant technologies in the literature.
• May receive co-authorship or acknowledgement depending on level of involvement.
• Maintain equipment and lab supplies.
• Work with a software engineer to maintain and update Molecular Technologies web app for kit ordering and record keeping and/or take the lead in using Google Forms or equivalent to provide MT users with an interface to order kits.
• Serve as Pierce Lab safety officer.
• Other duties as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Biology, or related field.
• 5+ years of wet lab experience, including polyacrylamide/agarose gel electrophoresis, use of protein enzymes to manipulate nucleic acids, oligonucleotide synthesis and labeling, PAGE and HPLC purification, and general molecular biology experience.
• Highly motivated self-starter; performs autonomously; possesses management and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including via email; maintains positive collaborative relationships within the MT user community.
• Highly organized and proactive, able to plan and design research experiments independently and keep an accurate, detailed, and neat lab notebook.
• Dedicated, responsible, meticulous, independent, personable, and interested in creating a unique academic resource at Caltech.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cell culture, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, assay development, quantitative image analysis, Python, NUPACK; if lacking experience in these areas, this position will offer the opportunity for growth to gain mastery in these areas.

Required Documents

• Resume