Research Technician

Research Technician

CaltechJob Category: Fulltime Term
Exempt Overtime Eligible: Overtime Eligible
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

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.

Essential Job Duties

• 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