Lab Tech III (skin biology and cell culture)

Lab Tech III (skin biology and cell culture)
Onsite – Irvine, CA
6+ month initial contract (potential to extend depending on performance and business need)
Hourly Pay Rate: $27-30/hr (medical insurance benefits available at a cost)
 
Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Lab Tech III specializing in skin biology and cell culture to join our dynamic research team. This position involves conducting advanced laboratory procedures, supporting research and development initiatives, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards such as GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice), and FDA regulations. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in industrial laboratory settings, with a focus on skin biology, cellular analysis, and microbiological techniques. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative scientific research aimed at advancing dermatological therapies and products.
 
The Laboratory Technician III will contribute and support product development and skin biology science investigation by work within R&D department in the Biological Research group laboratory. Conduct testing new component function and formulations and perform cellular and/or molecular biological assessments.
This position requires the ability to follow laboratory procedures with attention to detail, and successfully execute experiments, such as performing cellular and molecular biology techniques, included but not limited to, cell culture, gene expression analysis such as qPCR and/or protein analysis such as western blotting and ELISA.
Creativity, attention to detail, strong communication skills, as well as the ability to successfully conduct projects under general supervision and as part of a team-based environment is crucial.

Main Area of Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cell culturing 2D monolayer cells, 3D skin model and ex vivo samples.
• Responsible for isolating mRNA and/or proteins from cell culture samples and excised skin tissues.
• Responsibility for analyzing using molecular and/or cell biology techniques such as qPCR, western blotting and/or ELISA
• Responsible for timely documentation of laboratory work.
• Establish experimental protocols and validating new assays under supervision.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to organize the sequencing and timing of work assigned.
• Computer proficiency with common PC software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Requirements:

• Must have experience and knowledge with cellular and molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to, cell culture, gene expression analysis such as qPCR and/or protein analysis such as western blotting and ELISA.
• Must have ability to follows oral and complex written instructions.
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the group.
• Familiar and experience with writing SOPs.
• Experience and knowledge of 2D cell culturing (preferred with skin derived cells such as keratinocyte, fibroblast, and melanocyte) as well as 3D/organoid cell culture model is preferred.
• Histological assessment experience (IF , IHC) is plus.
• Knowledge of skin biology, developmental biology, stem cell, extracellular matrix is plus.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum of three years of experience in a related field at academia/pharmaceutical laboratory setting (No PhD candidates)

What hours and days will this person be working:

• Mon-Fri 8hours/day, 40hours/week. Might need to come on a weekend (Sat or Sun), 0-3 times/month to change cell culture medium depending on study. Weekend hours will be approximately 4 hours.

What are the top 5 skills/requirements this person is required have?

• Required Skill 1: Cell culture experience (any cell)
• Required Skill 2: RNA isolation, gene expression analysis.
• Required Skill 3: Protein expression analysis.
• Required Skill 4: Computer proficiency with common PC software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Required Skill 5: Ability to follows oral and complex written instructions.

What years of experience, education, and/or certification is required?
Bachelor’s degree with minimum of two-three years of experience in a related field at academia/pharmaceutical laboratory setting


What is a nice to have (but not required) regarding skills, requirements, experience, education, or certification?

• Experience in histology technique either IF or IHC.
• Experience in 3D/organoid cellular culture model
• Knowledge of skin biology
• Familiar and experience with writing SOPs

What is the environment that this person will be working in (i.e. group setting vs individual role)?
Need to work individually under general supervision. Also need strong communication skills with ability to successfully conduct projects as part of a team-based environment.
 
What positions/background experience do you feel are successful in this role?
Have worked in academia/pharmaceutical laboratory setting as lab technician/lab assistant.


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Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.