Academic Lab Technician

BIOLOGY (IN-BIOL-IUINA)

Indiana University Indianapolis School of Science is a vital part of Indiana's life, health, and technology industries and allows for unparalleled research and collaboration. We are home to 8 departments and programs representing many different aspects of the science world. Our faculty and staff are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Our faculty engage in cutting-edge research in a wide variety of fields, including biochemistry and molecular biology, clinical psychology, forensic science, pure and applied math, and more.

We pride ourselves on our interdisciplinary approach, extensive undergraduate research opportunities, professional school placements, and service to our students. Our graduates are the life blood of an economy that needs innovative thinkers, contributing team members and eager learners. Committed to having real impact in their work and community, our graduates emerge from the School of Science as well-rounded scientists whose experiences have prepared them to solve the problems of the future.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Facilitates the preparation and distribution of teaching supplies (models, reagents, chemicals and/or equipment) to teaching laboratories.
• Prepares large volumes of reagents and equipment for undergraduate Biology laboratory courses including, Concepts of Biology Laboratory, Exploring the World of Animals Laboratory and Immunology Laboratory, and other laboratories as needed.
• Works with, provides instruction, and directs undergraduate temporary employees to assist in the daily tasks of the Prep Lab.
• Maintains Biology stocks and associated inventory database as well as an inventory of equipment to ensure materials and equipment are available for scheduled labs.
• Helps instructs students and teaching assistants regarding the set-up of experiments and assists students in the appropriate methods of conducting experiments in coordination with the instructors.
• Trouble-shoots issues related to reagents and instruments that arise during lab courses and resolves them quickly.
• Assists the undergraduate laboratories director and faculty in curriculum development through testing and trouble-shooting new and existing laboratories/experiments developed by faculty.
• Maintains laboratory preparation manuals, suggests edits to instructor manuals, and shares the manuals with instructors and the Chair of Biology.
• Assists in the training of Biology laboratory preparation student hourly workers in laboratory techniques and safety in the laboratory.
• Performs routine inspection, cleaning, training, operation and preventative maintenance on facilities and laboratory equipment, including microscopes, anatomy models and physiology computer systems.
• Performs basic troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation, diagnoses problems, and proposes working solutions during laboratory periods.
  
  

General Responsibilities

• Monitors and assists faculty and students in educational resource facility (such as laboratory, learning/technology center, etc.) in support of educational and learning outcomes.
• Operates various instruments and/or machinery (may be restricted from student use), assists students using permitted equipment, and provides instruction, training, and oversight for safe operation; may be responsible for designing, fabricating, and/or machining necessary components for student and/or faculty projects.
• Collaborates with and provides support to faculty to ensure educational resource facility creates desired student experiences and achieves educational objectives.
• Ensures educational resource facility is functional and safe at all times; enforces safety standards and clean-up procedures; performs basic preventative maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of equipment; identifies potential problem areas and recommends courses of action.
• Maintains inventory of necessary supplies (replacement parts for equipment, tools, material supplies, chemicals, samples, specimens, etc); provides recommendations for budget and purchase of necessary equipment, supplies, and/or materials.
• Assists in updating instructional manuals and lab-related documents.
• May give lab demonstrations or tours to groups visiting the school/department.
• May oversee and provide supervision to student employees.
  
  

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Associate's degree preferably in related field
  
  

Required

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 1 year of related industry/field experience
  
  

Preferred

• 3 years of related industry/field experience
  
  

Skills

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated 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
  
  

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.

Indianapolis, Indiana

The IU Indianapolis campus is located near downtown Indianapolis, a city that uniquely combines the cultural amenities of urban life with the residential qualities of smaller communities and is highly affordable. As the major center for industry and government within the state of Indiana, Indianapolis has a wide variety of research and training sites.

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  
  

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Career Level: Intermediate

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Educational Resources & Tech

Job Family: Educational Resources

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This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

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Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

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