Laboratory Research Assistant

Indiana University; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental insurance

Health savings account

Paid time off plans

Tuition subsidy for employees and family members

Job summary

Indiana University is seeking a technical and managerial professional to oversee daily operations of the Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility and Crystallization Automation Facility.

The successful candidate will manage research projects, train personnel, and ensure the organization and continuous operation of the facilities. This role requires a Bachelor's degree and prefers a Master's. A strong commitment to quality and excellent communication skills are essential.

Competitive salary of $19.48 per hour and comprehensive benefits including medical insurance and retirement plans are offered.

Qualifications

• Some lab experience preferred.
• 1 year of experience in structural biology preferred.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the PBIF and CAF.
• Conduct scholarly research and train students in lab techniques.
• Ensure safe and efficient use of laboratory facilities.
• Perform data entry and maintain lab inventory.

Skills

Proficient written and verbal communication skills

Maintains a high degree of professionalism

Demonstrates time management

Highly thorough and dependable

Strong organization skills

Excellent computational/data analysis skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or health-related discipline

Master's degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a health-related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Dream Weaver

Job description

BIOMECHISTRY (BL-BIOC-IUBLA) The Macromolecular Crystallography Facility (MCF) Integrated with the Crystallization Automation Facility (CAF) provides all the equipment necessary to facilitate research in all aspects of Structural Biology at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB). The Phoenix Dual Tip (DT) and Gryphon Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) drop setter robots commercialized by Art Robbins Instruments can set up crystallization trays with high accuracy and minimizing the total amount of purified sample used during the screening. The Minstrel High-Throughput (HT) ultraviolet (UV) (Rigaku) is a fully automated high-throughput ultraviolet and visible crystal imaging and protein crystal monitoring system, which is coupled to 2 Gallerya HT incubator storage systems. Using the CrystalTrak software in situ or online the users can control, optimize, visualize and document automatically all the crystallization screening process. In addition, the Alchemist DT (Rigaku) also connected to CrystalTrak software, allows automatic liquid handling for protein crystallization optimization, eliminating the tedious process of solution preparation and dispensing by hand. Stereoscopes coupled to high-definition cameras and supplies for crystal manipulation are also provided by the facility. Moreover, computational resources facilitate structure determination and refinement with the latest programs available. In addition, IUB is a member institution in the Molecular Biology Consortium, which allows for easy and very frequent remote synchrotron access on beamline 4.2.2 at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), a part of Lawrence Berkeley National Labs in Berkeley, California. Therefore, testing for crystal/diffraction quality and/or data collection is done effortless and time-effectively. MCF/CAF was founded to facilitate and encourage research endeavors in structural biology and to provide centralized resources for training and education in latest crystallographic and structural biology techniques.

The Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility (PBIF) supports research in structures, stabilities, and interactions of biomolecules. Thorough hands‑on training, state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation, and analysis software are available 24 hours a day, and equipment time may be booked around the clock via a web-based reservation system. The PBIF is directed by a Ph.D. scientist who assists researchers in the design, implementation, and analysis of experiments and results.

This is technical and managerial work performing a variety of complex tasks related to the daily operations of the PBIF and the CAF.

Department‑Specific Responsibilities

• Supports and assists a variety of research projects, jointly with the supervisor, by maintaining lab operations on a daily, weekly and monthly basis
• Acts as manager for PBIF
• Keeps facility organized and ensures continuous operation
• Performs scholarly research and trains other personnel in PBIF (such as students) in standard techniques used in the lab
• Assists users in experiments, automated and manual dispensing of commercial screens, crystallography screenings, sample preparation, crystal optimization, crystal harvesting, and data collection
• Assists users in PBIF with experiments, sample preparation, and measurement
• Performs data entry, organization and maintenance of files, upkeep of lab calendar, and monthly billing
• Monitors and assesses consumables inventory and orders supplies as needed
• Develops standard operating procedures for lab instrumentation and modifies these procedures as appropriate
• Monitors lab usage to ensure safe and efficient use of facilities

General Responsibilities

• Manages for the initiation, monitoring, completion, and reporting of routine to moderately complex research studies
• Organizes and implements data review and analysis
• Oversees the proper handling of laboratory specimens including processes, shipping, storage, and documentation and transfer to designated central laboratories
• Conducts data quality assurance practices
• Prepares research summaries and assists in progress report development
• Maintains laboratory work areas and supply inventory

Education

Required

• Bachelor's degree in science or health‑related discipline

Preferred

• Master's degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, science, or a health‑related discipline

Work Experience

Preferred

• Some lab experience
• 1 year of experience in structural biology

Skills

Required

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Highly thorough and dependable

Preferred

• Demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a clean and organized laboratory
• Strong organization skills
• Possesses the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent computational/data analysis skills
• Excellent time management skills, and ability to be flexible with changes in daily or weekly tasks
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Dream Weaver

The role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. The role frequently requires the ability to move about the work environment and to position oneself to operate laboratory equipment effectively. The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Anticipated Start Date: July 2026

Bloomington, Indiana

$19.48 per hour or approximately $40,518.40 per year

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.