Lab Associate Jobs in Escondido, CA (NOW HIRING)

Role: Lab Operations Associate (Temporary)

Length of contract: 6 months with potential for extension or conversion to full-time

Pay: $26-$42 per hour; this is a W-2 position.

We’re looking for a hands‑on, service‑oriented Operations Associate to support Neomorph’s laboratory operations. In this role, you’ll work cross‑functionally with our research team, Facilities partners, and external vendors to maintain a safe, efficient, and well‑organized working environment. You’ll be at the heart of daily lab operations—ensuring scientists have what they need, when they need it, so they can focus on advancing high‑quality, translational science.

You are collaborative, dependable, and highly organized, with a passion for developing and improving processes that drive operational excellence while upholding the highest standards of safety and compliance. You manage your time well, communicate clearly, and take pride in anticipating needs and solving problems in real time. Whether you’re supporting lab workflows, responding to researcher requests, or ensuring the lab remains clean, compliant, and inspection‑ready, you bring a proactive mindset and a strong sense of ownership to everything you do.

If you enjoy meaningful, hands‑on work, thrive in fast‑paced laboratory and operational environments, and are motivated by enabling great science through behind‑the‑scenes excellence, this role offers the chance to make an immediate and tangible impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite laboratory operations support 24/7, including some holidays
• Independently support day-to-day laboratory and operations activities with minimal supervision
• Prepare, organize, label, and manage materials, samples, and equipment in accordance with SOPs
• Perform routine equipment setup, basic calibration, preventative maintenance, and first-level troubleshooting
• Receive, inspect, document, and store incoming materials in compliance with quality and safety standards
• Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements to lab and operations workflows

• Support ongoing laboratory operations with an emphasis on ordering, receiving, stocking, storage and distribution of all lab consumables, media, reagents, equipment, supplies, lab gases and any other inventory item(s) related to the operation of the laboratory.

• Triage and respond to researchers’ requests for assistance in a timely fashion

• Ensure that the safety protocols in place are being followed and keep chemical and biological waste storage in compliance.
• Serve as a reliable point of contact between lab staff, operations, and leadership
• Ensure the lab is well maintained, exceeds safety standards, and remains clean and orderly
• Operate the autoclave and glasswasher to ensure that there is a steady supply of clean glassware available for end-user use
• Waste Disposal: Coordinate safe and compliant disposal of hazardous and biological waste

Required qualifications:

• Associate's degree in a scientific discipline (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Engineering)
• 1 – 3 years of experience working in a laboratory or operations support, preferably in biotech, pharma, or another scientific environment.
• A basic understanding of the processes and protocols required in a scientific research organization
• Familiarity with basic lab operations, safety procedures, or hazardous waste handling.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required
• Proactive problem-solver with a willingness to learn new systems and processes.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment
• Dependable, self-directed, and accountable for assigned responsibilities
• Willingness to adapt to evolving operational needs, technologies, and procedures
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Excellent communication and customer service mindset; comfortable supporting a variety of cross-functional teams.
• Basic understanding of OSHA and general EHS concepts.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for extended periods in operational environments
• Comfortable working in laboratory and warehouse settings with adherence to PPE and safety requirements