Laboratory Research Assistant

BIOCHEMISTRY (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). New instrumentation allows high throughput macromolecular crystallography using advanced robotics. The Phoenix Dual Tip (DT) and Gryphon Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) drop setter robots commercialized by Art Robbins Instruments can set up crystallization trails 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. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact the Facility Manager, Giovanni Gonzalez-Gutierrez.

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.

The PBIF and CAF are located in Simon Hall Multidisciplinary Science Building (MSB-1) receiving hundreds of users monthly. Both are equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, facilitating research for many groups in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry Departments.

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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
  
  

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 science or health-related discipline
  
  

Preferred

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

Preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 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

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.

Career Level: Intermediate

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Laboratory Research

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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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