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Laboratory Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Startup experience * Familiarity with laboratory environments * Financial modeling experience * Prior experience supporting IACUC, EH&S, or regulatory inspections * Experience managing projects and ...

Research & Development Chemist

Oceanside, CA · On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Strong laboratory documentation and technical writing skills * Excellent experimental design, data analysis, and problem-solving abilities * Strong communication and collaboration skills * Startup or ...

Collect, prepare, and ship samples for third-party laboratory testing * Generate Certificates of ... Comfortable working in a fast-paced, startup environment * Strong organizational and time ...

Quantum Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Ability to produce clean, complete engineering documentation alongside laboratory work. * Laser safety awareness; comfort working within a formal laser safety program. Startup Mindse t: * You're ...

Quantum Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Ability to produce clean, complete engineering documentation alongside laboratory work. * Laser safety awareness; comfort working within a formal laser safety program. Startup Mindse t: * You're ...

Quantum Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$165K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Ability to produce clean, complete engineering documentation alongside laboratory work. * Laser safety awareness; comfort working within a formal laser safety program. Startup Mindse t: * You're ...

Showing results 21-40

Laboratory Startup information

What is a laboratory startup?

A Laboratory Startup is a company or organization in its early stages that focuses on scientific research, innovation, and the development of new technologies or products within a laboratory setting. These startups are often founded by scientists or researchers and may work on anything from biotech and pharmaceuticals to chemical engineering or diagnostics. Laboratory Startups typically face unique challenges, such as securing funding, acquiring specialized equipment, hiring skilled personnel, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Their goal is often to bring a novel scientific discovery or product to market, either independently or through partnerships with larger companies.

What are some common challenges faced when setting up a new laboratory, and how can they be effectively addressed?

When starting up a new laboratory, professionals often encounter challenges such as ensuring regulatory compliance, sourcing the appropriate equipment, and establishing robust safety protocols. Coordinating with vendors, navigating procurement delays, and setting up laboratory information management systems can also be complex. To address these, it’s essential to develop a detailed project plan, involve key stakeholders early, and consult with experienced laboratory managers or consultants. Open communication with team members and regular progress reviews help keep the setup on track and ensure a smooth launch.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in laboratory startup roles, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Laboratory Startup role, you need expertise in laboratory operations, project management, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a degree in a scientific field and experience in lab environments. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), facility setup procedures, and relevant safety certifications such as OSHA are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for coordinating teams and navigating the challenges of launching a new lab. These competencies ensure that the laboratory is established efficiently, safely, and in compliance with industry standards, enabling successful research or diagnostic operations.

What is the difference between Laboratory Startup vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLaboratory StartupLaboratory Technician
CredentialsOften requires a degree in science or engineering, sometimes with entrepreneurial experienceTypically requires an associate's or bachelor's degree in a laboratory science or related field
Work EnvironmentStartup environment, often in labs focused on innovation, research, or product developmentEstablished labs, research facilities, or clinical settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by new biotech, pharma, or research startupsCommon in hospitals, research institutes, and industrial labs

In summary, a Laboratory Startup involves launching new lab ventures with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, often requiring a mix of scientific and business skills. A Laboratory Technician typically works within established labs, performing routine testing and experiments based on existing protocols. While both roles require scientific knowledge, the startup role emphasizes building new operations, whereas the technician role focuses on supporting ongoing research or production.

What are popular job titles related to Laboratory Startup jobs in California?

For Laboratory Startup jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Laboratory Startup jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Laboratory Startup jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Laboratory Startup jobs?

Cities in California with the most Laboratory Startup job openings:

Infographic showing various Laboratory Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Operations & Strategy Lead

Becoming

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

About Us
Becoming is building a Developmental Intelligence™ platform that combines biology, engineering, and AI to understand, model, and guide development. We design and operate integrated biological and technological systems that enable new approaches to tissue generation, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic discovery.
Our team brings together expertise across developmental biology, tissue engineering, hardware, software, and operations. We are mission-driven, highly collaborative, and focused on building foundational capabilities that can scale from early research through clinical and translational applications.
Position Overview
We are seeking an Operations & Strategy Lead to work directly with the CEO and leadership team.
This is a highly cross-functional role spanning laboratory operations, finance, recruiting, company building, and strategic execution. You will help ensure the company runs efficiently while driving critical initiatives that accelerate our scientific and organizational progress.
This role is ideal for a scientifically trained operator who enjoys solving complex problems, building systems, and turning ambitious goals into execution.
On any given day, you may negotiate a major equipment purchase, build a hiring plan, improve laboratory workflows, coordinate a facility project, analyze company metrics, support fundraising efforts, or lead a company-wide initiative.
For the right candidate, this role offers a unique opportunity to help build a category-defining biotechnology company from an early stage.
Key Responsibilities
Operations
  • Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations
  • Manage purchasing, inventory, equipment maintenance, and vendor relationships
  • Coordinate laboratory buildouts, expansions, and facilities projects
  • Improve operational systems and internal processes
  • Support safety, compliance, and laboratory infrastructure
  • Ensure teams have the resources needed to execute effectively
Strategic Projects
  • Drive high-priority initiatives on behalf of leadership
  • Coordinate cross-functional projects across science, engineering, and operations
  • Develop project plans, milestones, and accountability mechanisms
  • Conduct market and scientific research
  • Prepare materials for leadership meetings, partners, and strategic discussions
Finance & Business Operations
  • Assist with budgeting and financial planning
  • Track spending, forecasts, and operational metrics
  • Support fundraising, grant applications, and diligence requests
  • Build reporting systems and company dashboards
  • Help leadership make data-driven decisions
Recruiting & Talent
  • Support recruiting efforts across scientific and technical roles
  • Coordinate interview processes and candidate experience
  • Improve onboarding and operational processes
  • Help build systems that support company growth
Executive Support
  • Serve as a trusted partner to the leadership team
  • Help prioritize initiatives and allocate resources effectively
  • Identify bottlenecks and proactively develop solutions
  • Ensure important projects move from concept to completion

Requirements
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Neuroscience, or another scientific or technical field
  • 2-6 years of experience in consulting, business operations, strategy, venture capital, investment banking, or startup operations
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong project management capabilities
  • Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated understanding of laboratory safety, biosafety, and animal welfare best practices
  • Proven ability to create, maintain, and enforce SOPs in a laboratory or vivarium environment
  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a fast-paced startup environment

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, LEK, EY-Parthenon, Strategy &, or similar firms
  • Experience in biotechnology, healthcare, life sciences, or deep technology
  • Startup experience
  • Familiarity with laboratory environments
  • Financial modeling experience
  • Prior experience supporting IACUC, EH&S, or regulatory inspections
  • Experience managing projects and tracking operational KPIs

Benefits
  • Competitive salary and meaningful equity depending on experience level
  • Full benefits
  • High-trust, high-ownership environment
  • The opportunity to define a new scientific category from the ground up