CalTech - California Institute of Technology Jobs

CalTech - California Institute of Technology

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Pasadena, California

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"Lab Manager"

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Lab Manager

Staff / Administration

2026-02-01

Location

Pasadena, California

Caltech

Type

Full-time Regular

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or experimental physics
5+ years post-bachelor research experience
Wet lab & anoxic glovebox experience
Nanofabrication (XPS, AFM, ALD, e-beam, sputtering, lithography)
NMR, HPLC, XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM
Machine shop & custom instrumentation
Electronics & circuit design
Mentoring experience
Peer-reviewed publications

Research Areas

Prebiotic (geo)chemistry
Physics of living systems
Origins of life
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Lab Manager

Lab Manager

Caltech

Job Category: Fulltime Regular

Exempt Overtime Eligible: Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

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 Ozturk Lab is seeking a Laboratory Manager for a research laboratory focused on prebiotic (geo) chemistry, physics of living systems, and the origins of life. This position is part of an interdisciplinary environment that integrates geosciences, chemistry, and physics to investigate fundamental questions about the emergence of life on Earth and beyond.

The Laboratory Manager will be responsible for managing the technical and operational activities of the laboratory, including coordinating daily operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, maintaining and calibrating instruments, and supporting the procurement and installation of new equipment. The incumbent will provide technical training and mentorship to laboratory personnel, including graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate researchers, and will assist with the design and execution of experiments.

Essential Job Duties

  • Responsible for managing the technical and operational activities of the laboratory, including coordinating daily operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, maintaining and calibrating instruments, and supporting the procurement and installation of new equipment.
  • Ensure proper maintenance and functionality of laboratory instruments and equipment.
  • Train students and other junior researchers on experimental techniques, data acquisition, and data interpretation.
  • Assist with the execution of experiments by contributing to the design, building, and operation of apparatus, as well as by data acquisition and analysis.
  • Lead independent and original research projects in alignment with the lab's goals. Write scientific manuscripts and prepare presentations.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or experimental physics.
  • A minimum of five (5) years of post-bachelor level research experience in academic, industrial, or national laboratory settings.
  • Wet lab experience and familiarity with anoxic glovebox maintenance and operation.
  • Nanofabrication experience, including XPS, AFM, ALD, e-beam evaporation, sputtering, and lithography techniques.
  • Familiarity with NMR, HPLC, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM.
  • Machine shop experience and familiarity with custom instrumentation design and construction.
  • Basic experience in electronics, circuit design, and control.
  • Mentoring experience for laboratory personnel on technical operations.
  • Demonstrated expertise in experimental research and a strong track record of scientific communication (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, presentations).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Post-doctoral level experimental research on Physical Chemistry/Organic Synthesis/Origins of Life.
  • Has worked as an engineer, senior scientist, lab manager, or in a pharmaceutical company.
  • Experience with flow systems, continuous manufacturing, and microfluidics.
  • Experience with spectroscopy and microscopy.

Required Documents

  • Resume

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://apptrkr.com/6710481

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What are the basic qualifications for the Lab Manager position at Caltech?

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or experimental physics, with at least 5 years post-bachelor research experience in academic, industrial, or national lab settings. Required skills include wet lab and anoxic glovebox operation, nanofabrication techniques (XPS, AFM, ALD, e-beam evaporation, sputtering, lithography), familiarity with NMR, HPLC, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, machine shop experience, basic electronics, and mentoring. Strong track record in experimental research and scientific communication (publications, presentations) is essential. See research jobs for similar roles.

What are the preferred qualifications?

Preferred: Post-doctoral experience in Physical Chemistry/Organic Synthesis/Origins of Life. Prior roles as engineer, senior scientist, lab manager, or in pharmaceutical company. Experience with flow systems, continuous manufacturing, microfluidics, and spectroscopy/microscopy. Explore postdoc success tips.

🔬What are the essential duties of this Lab Manager role?

Manage technical and operational activities, coordinate daily operations, ensure safety protocols, maintain/calibrate instruments, support procurement/installation of equipment. Train students/postdocs/undergrads on techniques, data acquisition/interpretation. Assist with experiment design/execution, apparatus building, data analysis. Lead independent research projects, write manuscripts, prepare presentations. Check Caltech research jobs.

📝How do I apply for the Lab Manager position?

Submit your resume via the official link: Apply here. Caltech is an equal opportunity employer. Use our free resume template to prepare.

📍What is the employment type and location?

Full-time regular position, exempt from overtime, benefits eligible. Located in Pasadena, California at Caltech. No visa sponsorship mentioned. View staff jobs.

🧪What research areas does the Ozturk Lab focus on?

Interdisciplinary research on prebiotic geochemistry, physics of living systems, and origins of life. Integrates geosciences, chemistry, physics. Learn more via research jobs or postdoc advice.
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