Research Assistant and Staff Scientist / Engineer for Ocean Tech

The Balch Lab at Stanford is seeking to hire Research Assistants, Staff Scientists, and/or Staff Engineers to support and enhance our research program and to assist with lab management. We are looking for a self-starter with prior hands-on prototyping or development experience. The ability to prioritize and manage your time, attention to detail, and understanding of electromechanical and/or optomechanical systems are all important in this role.  We have positions available for both early-career and experienced scientists and engineers. 

About us: The Balch Lab focuses on new approaches to nanoscale optoelectronics, spectroscopy, and imaging for applications in oceanography and water sustainability.  Our research group has two main pillars: leveraging principles from physics and engineering to develop new measurement methods based on optical microscopy, spectroscopy, and nanophotonics, and getting these measurements into the field as automated, low-power and field-deployable platforms, to make quantitative and persistent measurements of small molecules like marine chemicals, biological assays, and dissolved gases that advance our understanding of the ocean and climate. 

Job Description: We are hiring for a Research Assistants, Technicians, Staff Scientists and Staff Engineers who have strong organizational skills and a background in one or more of the following: (1) prototyping, mechatronics, (2) optics/optomechanics, photonics, (3) taking things apart and putting them back together again. 

You will be a founding R&D member and play a key role in the set up of the Balch Lab. We are looking for candidates who are interested in launching mission-driven projects from the ground-up, are effective in small highly motivated teams.  There are opportunities for both current undergraduates, co-terms, recent graduates, and senior hires. 

Your job title for this role will depend on your qualifications, prior experience, and professional goals. Applicants with a PhD would be hired in the Project Scientist series, or as a Postdoctoral Scholar. Applicants without a PhD would be hired as a Research Assistant or Staff Scientist. You will be expected to have strong organizational skills, maintain high-quality documentation (lab notebook, protocols, inventory, safety practices etc.), communicate clearly with colleagues, students, and faculty, keep track of multiple projects simultaneously, and be an all-around good member of our group. 

Qualifications: 

Demonstrated experience prototyping, building, and testing fabrication projects, electromechanical systems and/or optomechanical systems

Creative and curious problem solver able to figure out ways to get things done quickly, efficiently, and professionally in an academic university environment

Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills for hardware and software, including basic metrology and benchtop electronics experience (e.g., you know how to use  calipers, micrometers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc)

Exceptionally detail-oriented, motivated to move fast, and strong organizational skills

Eagerness to learn and support the lab, work with students, and collaborate across cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers within Stanford and with external partners as we grow in new directions

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline or relevant work experience  

We will review applications on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit a coverletter describing your interest in the position, a recent CV or Resume, and a brief description of your previous work experience, research or portfolio.