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Lab Manager

California Institute Of Technology

Pasadena, CA · Posted November 12, 2026

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About the job

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 Lab Manager will oversee and coordinate the administrative, operational, and research support functions of a laboratory, including mouse colony oversight, regulatory compliance, procurement, budget tracking, and laboratory safety. The incumbent will provide technical expertise, train and support laboratory personnel, and perform experimental procedures as needed to advance the laboratory's research objectives.

Essential Job Duties

Manage and oversee the laboratory mouse colony, including breeding, genotyping, recordkeeping, and coordination with OLAR to ensure compliance with animal care regulations and successful inspections.

Train, supervise, and provide technical guidance to research personnel in animal handling procedures, cell line development, tissue collection, and histological techniques. Support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in experimental planning and execution.

Administer and maintain laboratory resources, including plasmid, cell line, enzyme, antibody, and chemical inventories; establish procedures to ensure proper storage, tracking, and availability of research materials.

Coordinate laboratory procurement activities, equipment maintenance, vendor interactions, and service contracts. Evaluate purchasing options to support operational efficiency while maintaining cost-effective use of laboratory resources.

Monitor laboratory expenditures, reconcile P-Card transactions, track grant-funded purchases, and maintain financial records to support budget management and reporting requirements.

Serve as Laboratory Safety Officer, developing and implementing safety procedures, coordinating required training, maintaining compliance documentation, and ensuring adherence to institutional and regulatory safety standards.

Participate in the discussion and implementation of research protocols and objectives, collaborating with laboratory personnel to support experimental design, execution, and troubleshooting as needed.

Basic Qualifications

MS in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related life sciences field, with a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in research laboratory operations, including cell biology, mouse genetics, and laboratory administration.

Advanced knowledge of molecular and cellular biology research methodologies, with the ability to evaluate laboratory supply, reagent, and equipment needs in support of research objectives and operational requirements.

Demonstrated experience with laboratory procurement, budgeting, and financial administration, including the use of institutional purchasing systems, procurement cards, and vendor management processes.

Thorough knowledge of animal research regulations and laboratory safety requirements, including experience supporting compliance with OLAR and EH&S policies, inspections, and reporting requirements.

Experience training and providing technical guidance to laboratory personnel in animal handling, laboratory procedures, research techniques, and compliance-related activities.

Demonstrated ability to manage laboratory resources, maintain accurate records, coordinate multiple priorities, and support efficient laboratory operations in a research environment.

Required Documents

Resume.