Research Technician

Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title:

Job Description:

PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The group of Prof. Janet Sheung at the Department of Natural Sciences of Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, California, is looking for a Research Technician in experimental Soft Matter Physics and Active Materials.

The overarching goal of the NSF-funded project is to advance our understanding of the relationship between transport and mechanical properties within an active, biomimetic material far from equilibrium. The research team will create fully-tunable crowded and non-equilibrium biomimetic environments on microscope slides and simultaneously characterize the passive and active transport, network connectivity, force response, and viscoelastic moduli using a custom-developed optical trapping capable lightsheet microscope. This project aims to combine experimental results and accompanying theoretical models to generate predictions testable in vivo.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This information is intended to be a descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position.The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position.Perform other duties as assigned.

• Perform scientific research: curate and analyze data; develop research methodology including validation of gathered data; write computer code to perform basic data analysis
• Administer and coordinate research activity across the laboratory. Coordinate with Department of Natural Science faculty and staff for use of shared resources; install and maintain needed software; train and supervise laboratory staff; plan and run a weekly research group meeting and additional meetings as necessary; manage on-boarding of new students; design, build, maintain, and develop SOPs for, scientific equipment; maintain up-to-date chemical and equipment inventories; procurement; maintain a safe working environment in the lab
• Science communication: visualize data and produce appealing graphics for communication of results to a variety of audiences; draft and edit scientific manuscripts; represent the research lab at professional level conferences including national conferences by giving talks and/or presenting posters
• Ensure high quality educational experience for summer research students and undergraduates enrolled in Natural Science Research I/II: train student staff to make sense of, articulate, and communicate their findings in one-on-one meeting; provide individualized mentoring; serve as ombudsman for students
• Broader impacts: assist with, and help plan, laboratory participation in departmental and college level outreach efforts
• Perform scientific research: originate and formulate ideas for future experiments; write computer code to perform advanced data analysis
• Active support for the College's Principles of Community and Principles of Diversity in the performance of job duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Ability to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to interact professionally with a diverse clientele of faculty, staff, and other members of a college community.
• Ability to process large amounts of information and manage multiple deadlines efficiently and accurately.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and other standard issue Windows software; demonstrated proficiency in at least one scientific computational software or language including but not limited to python, MATLAB, Mathematica, C++, IDL, and willingness and ability to learn others as necessary
• Familiarity with LaTeX strongly preferred but not required; demonstrated proficiency in LABVIEW preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated proficiency and ability to complete a scientific investigation in at least one of the following environments: wet lab in biophysics or a closely related field, computational lab in physics or a closely related field, or engineering or applied physics lab with advanced custom hardware.
• Evidence of scientific achievement, for example co-authorship on peer-reviewed scientific journal articles strongly preferred.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in physics or related field.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:

• Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) preferred but not required.

OTHER:

HOURS & CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:

This isa temporary status, grant-funded, part-time (no more than 35 hours per week),benefits eligible, non-exempt position.

The regular hours for this position are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Hours may vary due to the needs of the College or department.

This assignment is expected to end on or before June 30, 2026. This position is contingent upon available grant funding.

Hourly rate range: $17.00-$18.00. The hourly rate 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises undergraduate student researchers and visitors working in the laboratory.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to details with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans.

Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters.Ability to hear within normal parameters.Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file.Ability to move about.Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example to lift or move office supplies, files, books and packages.

At-Will Employment

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time.Scripps College is an At-Will employer.Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.