New

Research Scientist

California Institute of Technology
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, sick time, tuition reimbursement
United States, California, Pasadena
Jun 25, 2026
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 position is for a research scientist who will investigate and develop technologies for the synthesis and assembly of synthetic DNA molecules. Essential Job Duties Design and conduct experiments to investigate how to further scale the Sidewinder DNA assembly technology (30%) Develop bioinformatics pipelines for optimally orthogonal DNA sequence barcode generation with low computational cost Utilize DNA and Protein AI models for the procurement of target sequences for biologically, therapeutically, and industrially relevant targets Protocol development for increasing fidelity of the Sidewinder reaction with various DNA inputs Design and conduct experiments to investigate complementary DNA assembly technologies (30%) Design, plan, and execute experiments to investigate and optimize DNA assembly technologies, including USER cloning, Gibson assembly, Golden Gate assembly, and related molecular biology methods. Develop experimental protocols for DNA construct generation, ensuring reproducibility, efficiency, and high-quality results Collaborate with cross-functional research teams to design genetic constructs, evaluate novel assembly approaches, and support project objectives. Develop bioinformatic pipelines for the design and analysis of DNA sequences and assemblies (20%) Handle large sequencing datasets from Nanopore, Illumina, and PacBio Streamline analysis of Sidewinder assembly products assessing assembly quality at the base, junction, and assembly level. Prepare research reports and presentations for internal meetings, publications, and conferences (20%) Basic Qualifications PhD in biological sciences Detailed knowledge of Sidewinder DNA assembly, DNA sequencing methodologies, and molecular biology At least 3 years of experience performing biological experiments independently, including DNA sequencing and assembly Preferred Qualifications Experience mentoring undergraduates or graduate students Experience presenting at scientific meetings Required Documents Resume Hiring Range $59,800 - $85,900 Per Year 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 employment@caltech.edu. 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 employment@caltech.edu.