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Cell Culture Technician

Foster City, CA

We’re a well-funded start-up. You’ll get a chance to wear many hats, be a part of a growing team, and have the potential for exciting financial and career growth.

Here’s what sets us apart. We’ve set our sights on some of the biggest challenges facing biology today. We’re amassing a world class team of engineers, scientists, team builders and problem solvers to tackle these challenges heads-on. We’re passionate about developing the next generation technologies that will unravel the complexities of biology.

This is a unique opportunity to build, be part of an exciting start-up and be surrounded by good humans who are super capable, humble and down-to- earth.

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Cell Culture Technician to manage daily operations and maintain the integrity of our Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) cell culture laboratory. The ideal candidate will have robust hands-on experience with mammalian cell lines and primary cell cultures, good aseptic technique, and a strong commitment to enforcing biosafety compliance. You will ensure the lab remains audit-ready, equipment is operational, and research teams are supported with high-quality, contamination-free cell lines.

Essential Duties include: 

  • Cell Line Maintenance: Routinely passage, feed, bank, and thaw mammalian cell lines (including primary cells or human-derived lines). Monitor cell growth, confluence, and morphology daily. Provide other lab members cells and medium.
  • BSL-2 Safety & Compliance: Enforce laboratory safety protocols in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines. Ensure proper usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Waste Management: Safely treat and dispose of liquid and solid biohazardous waste according to standard protocols (e.g., chemical bleaching, autoclaving, and sharps disposal).
  • Equipment Upkeep: Perform routine maintenance, deep cleaning, and calibration tracking for Class II Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs), CO₂ incubators, centrifuges, and water baths. Coordinate annual professional certifications.
  • Quality Control: Conduct routine testing for mycoplasma, sterility, and cross-contamination. Keep flawless records of cell line passages, batch histories, and repository logs.
  • Inventory & Media Prep: Prepare standard cell culture media, buffers, and reagents under sterile conditions. Manage laboratory inventory, tracking stock levels of plastics, PPE, and reagents.
  • Ability to comply with personal protective equipment requirements.

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Typically requires a minimum of 2-4 years of relevant cell handling experience.
  • Proven mastery of aseptic technique.
  • Experience working within a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) environment.
  • Proficiency with inverted microscopes, hemocytometers/automated cell counters, and cryostorage systems.
  • Strong organizational habits and documentation practices, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree.
  • Hands-on experience in a dedicated cell culture environment (academic or industry).

The estimated pay range for this position is $30 - $35/hour. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. 

What you can expect from us:

You’ll feel the energy when you walk in our door – we work hard, we have fun and we have ambitious plans to grow. Cellanome offers a comprehensive employment package that includes a competitive salary, generous stock options, great individual, and family health plans, a 401(k) and flexibility to balance work and life.

We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability, veteran status, or other class protected by applicable law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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