Laboratory Research Specialist

The O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs works to build a better world by stewarding the development of welcoming societies, democratic governance, and a healthy, sustainable environment. With partners across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, we pursue education, scholarship, and civic engagement at the crossroads of policy, science, and management. We give our students the knowledge and skills to have a significant impact around the globe.

Our Values

• Excellence
  • Aiming to be the best in all that we do and developing the professional and personal capabilities necessary to improve the world through our work.
• Meaning and impact
  • Pursuing careers and service that add purpose and meaning to our lives, encouraging others to do so, and improving quality of life for individuals and societies.
• Ongoing learning
  • Continuously developing the skills, knowledge, experience, and sound judgment necessary for wise and informed decision-making.
• Well-being
  • Emphasizing the well-being and safety of individuals and the health of our natural environment as essential for thriving communities and well-functioning, just societies.

Job Summary

The Leuthner lab investigates molecular mechanisms of toxicity and variation in susceptibility to emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the model organism C. elegans. We use high-throughput biological assays combined with advanced statistical and computational approaches to large-scale datasets. A person in this role is highlyorganized and motivated and requires a balance of technical expertise, administrative skills, and leadership to oversee the daily operations of our research laboratory and perform experiments while maintaining a safe, efficient, and collaborative environment that supports the success of our research and training goals.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Oversees the day-to-day operation of laboratory research by coordinating activities, developing protocols, and monitoring the progression of research projects. Supervises, mentors, and provides training for junior-level staff. May perform complex data analysis.
• Supports ongoing research projects through technical assistance.
• Oversees day-to-day laboratory operations (e.g., preparing plates, buffers, glassware), tracking inventory of supplies and reagents, ordering of supplies, maintaining C. elegans and bacterial strains and databases, and assisting in lab scheduling.
• Supervises and mentor lab personnel, including technicians, undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs.
• Manages laboratory safety protocols, compliance with institutional and regulatory standards, and training of staff/students.
• Coordinates scheduling of shared equipment and space.
• Serves as primary contact for vendors, facilities, and regulatory offices.

General Responsibilities

• Leads research activities and protocol development.
• Maintains equipment, including preventive maintenance, scheduling repairs as needed, service agreement negotiations, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and maintaining an active list of vendors to respond to equipment loss.
• Supervises, mentors, and provides training for junior-level staff.
• Prepares summary data reports, and creates and maintains databases for storage and analysis.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable local and federal regulations.
• May design and conduct a wide range of complex experiments.

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor's degree in a science related field.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a sciences related field or higher.

WORK EXPERIENCE


Required

• 3 years of laboratory research experience.

Preferred

• Prior experience managing a teaching or research laboratory.

SKILLS


Required

• Proficient 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.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.

Preferred

• Experience with C. elegans.
• Familiar with basic molecular biology approaches (e.g., nucleic acid isolation, PCR).
• Knowledge of lab safety practices.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Working Conditions / Demands

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.

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.


Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Advertised Salary

Salary range $45,000-$50,000 based upon experience and within school equity.


Benefits Overview

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

• 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)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .


Job Classification

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Laboratory Research
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.


Posting Disclaimer

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.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.


Equal Employment Opportunity

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 .


Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at View email address on click.appcast.io or by visiting IUPD.


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