Research Engineer — Field & Lab Imaging Instrumentation; Bisson Lab, Indiana University Bloomington

The Bisson Lab at Indiana University Bloomington is hiring a research engineer to build the imaging and environmental hardware for a new project on microbial life in the Great Salt Lake.

We study how archaea and other halophiles sense and respond to mechanical and physicochemical forces. To do this in situ, we are building portable microscopes, microfluidic devices, and synthetic Great Salt Lake (SynGSL) tank systems housed in IU's greenhouse.

This is a hands‑on instrument‑building role — design through iteration, not delivery to spec.

Build and field‑deploy portable optical microscopes for live imaging of ~1 µm cells in brine and salt‑crystal environments.

Design and construct greenhouse‑scale environmental tanks with optical access for long‑term live imaging.

Develop microfluidic devices (PDMS, fluoropolymers, brine‑compatible materials) for confined‑flow experiments.

Travel to the Great Salt Lake (1–4 trips/year) to test and iterate equipment in the field.

VMLs classification correlating microbiome community images and metagenomic data.

Hands‑on experience building scientific instruments — optics, mechanics, electronics, fluidics, or any combination. Demonstrated builds matter more than degrees.

Comfort moving between machine shop, optics bench, and wet lab.

Comfort with ambiguity in early‑stage projects where the spec evolves with the science.

Willing to live with what you build for 1–3 years and rebuild it when it fails.

Bonus: microfluidics/soft lithography, environmental rigs, 3D‑printing/CAD, embedded control (Arduino/RPi), Python.

BS or higher in engineering, physics, or related field desired — but not required as long as equivalent demonstrated build experience. PhD not required.

Full‑time, IU Bloomington. On‑site (lab + greenhouse).

Initial 1‑year appointment, renewable. Funding in place.

Salary commensurate with experience, IU research staff scales.

Start: summer 2026 onwards.

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer.