Lab Technician

RISE Research (  ) delivers personalized, research-driven programs designed to elevate students' academic and professional journeys.

RISE is expanding into hands‑on life sciences research, and we're partnering with Bio Curious ( (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ) — a biology lab in Santa Clara — to give our students access to a real lab. As a Lab Technician, you'll supervise small groups of RISE students at the bench, teach them foundational laboratory techniques, and help them run experiments for their research projects.

Bio Curious Lab, 3108 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA

Competitive

Part‑time.

• Student Supervision & Mentorship – Supervise around 5 students at a time at the bench, running concurrent activities safely. Teach foundational techniques — aseptic handling, micropipetting, plating and streaking, PCR, gel electrophoresis, basic cell and tissue culture — and adapt your explanation to each student's level.
• Experiment Support – Help students scope research questions that are actually achievable in a BSL‑1 facility within their timeline.
• Lab Operations – Prepare media, buffers, plates, and reagents ahead of sessions. Manage consumables, ordering, and inventory. Operate and maintain core equipment including autoclave, biosafety cabinet, incubators, centrifuges, thermocyclers, and cold storage.
• Safety & Compliance – Enforce BSL‑1 practices at all times. Manage PPE, chemical documentation, and biohazardous and chemical waste. Serve as RISE's liaison, taking student projects through safety review and ensuring students complete required safety certification before bench work.
• Documentation & Reporting – Maintain clean lab records and sample inventories. Keep RISE's academic team and mentors updated on student progress, blockers, and lab needs.

• Scientific Background – Educational background in a life sciences field (biology, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, bioengineering, or chemistry) with 2+ years of independent bench experience.
• Core Lab Skills – Solid sterile and aseptic technique, plus media prep, plating, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA extraction.
• Experience Working with Students – You've taught, tutored, mentored, or supervised young people in a hands‑on setting. TA work, science outreach, summer camps, after‑school STEM, tutoring, and K–12 lab support all count.
• Competitive compensation with growth opportunities in a rapidly scaling start‑up.
• Working with some of the brightest and most motivated students.