Laboratory Instrumentation Specialist (Research Machinist)

Indiana University (IU) 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.

Job Summary

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provides instrumental and operations leadership, maintenance, and support for the full complement of instrumentation, specialized facilities, and administrative oversight of our capital equipment base. Given the curricular use of many departmental instruments, effective operation of the teaching labs requires that the individual carry out planned preventative maintenance and time-sensitive troubleshooting of problems.
• Oversees 2 TE employees responsible for lab operation, stores, and planning.
• Performs technical work; installs and maintains laboratory instrumentation, performs preventive maintenance, makes repairs, and performs upgrades to various systems in order to maintain optimal performance, reliability, and accuracy of the data produced by instrumentation,
• Supports integration and regular testing of instruments.
• Directly identifies and provides sources of training for departmental students, staff, and faculty on instrument operation and promotes best practices/standards of operation.
• May assist students/faculty with technical support.
• Maintains service and repair records for all applicable equipment; gathers price comparisons for budget.
• Maintains records for department-wide consumables, such as compressed gases and instrument time.
• Coordinates lab access by maintaining a roster of access privileges and programming door locks.
• Keeps up with the latest technology; makes informed recommendations to leadership.
• Supervises technical employees and ensures our instrumentation and support functions operate synergistically.

General Responsibilities

• Designs, fabricates, installs, maintains, and repairs new or unique scientific laboratory devices, equipment, components and precision instruments for research and teaching purposes.
• Consults with equipment end-users regarding design material selection and application; manages inventory of necessary supplies.
• Reads and interprets blueprints and hand-drawn sketches and oral instructions; measures to desired degree of accuracy.
• Uses computer software/programs to design parts and generate specifications needed to fabricate devices (such as CNC codes for machine tools).
• Tests and debugs prototypes and finished products; troubleshoots and diagnoses equipment failure and prescribes and makes necessary repairs or modifications.
• Oversees non-shop/lab personnel when in the shop/lab as to use of machines or tools; provides training and education resources as needed.
• Modifies purchased and existing equipment to meet experimental/research needs.
• May provide daily oversight and guidance to less experienced staff.

Qualifications

EDUCATION



Required

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED).

WORK EXPERIENCE



Required

• 2 years of formal training in machine trades.
• 3 years experience as a machinist.

Preferred

• 1 year of troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, or modification experience relevant to laboratory instrumentation, infrastructure, and/or electronics used in the chemical or other physical sciences.

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.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to build strong customer relationships.
• Quickly troubleshoots and resolves problems.
• Strong mechanical skills.
• Possesses strong technical aptitude.
• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner.
• Knowledge of the tools, materials, methods, and techniques of the machinist trade, such as: operation and programming of CNC machines (mill and lathe); set-up and use of metal working machines (mills, lathes, band saw, drill press); maintenance and use of welding equipment (MIG, TIG, Acetylene, etc.); maintenance and use of wood working machines both stationary (table saw, drill press, chop saw, jointer, surface planer, drum stander, vertical sander, router table/shaper, etc.) and both power and manual hand tools (drills, grinders, biscuit jointer, saws, routers, etc.); various design software.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the machinist trade.
• Ability to design delicate scientific apparatus from verbal instructions and rough sketches.
• Ability to maintain close tolerance precision work from oral or written instructions, sketches, blueprints, and models.
• Ability to use the precision tools and equipment common to the machinist trade.

Preferred

• Ability to readily learn and apply new information/concepts.
• Ability to solve complex instrumentation problems, using scientific and/or engineering skills.
• Ability to carry out planned preventative maintenance and time-sensitive troubleshooting of problems.
• Ability to provide broad instrumentation and facilities support.
• Ability to draw on prior experience in scientific instrument operation, maintenance, repair and/or use that is related to chemical or other physical sciences.
• Demonstrates technical expertise to repair and assist in replacing departmental instruments.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate machinery, tools, and controls. The role requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders/stairs, and to position one's self in low level positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gases. The role requires the ability to ascend to rooftops and move in tight spaces to perform and complete inspections. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

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: Mastery

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Research Machinists

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.


Contact Us

Request Support
Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io


Apply for Job

• Staff Positions
• Sign In
• New User
• Enable Screen Reader Mode