Part-Time Biology Research Assistant

Gill Institute for Neuroscience (UA-GILL-IUBLA) Research centers, institutes, and museums at Indiana University allow researchers from across disciplines, departments, schools, and campuses to collaborate on pursuing important questions and ideas. The Gill Institute is a part of IU Research and is home to 7 endowed professors in multiple disciplines including Psychological and Brain Sciences, Chemistry and Biology. This group of highly productive researchers share a mission of determining the mechanisms underlying neurological health and dysfunction, enabling breakthrough interventions that transform mental health and improve quality of life, while disseminating knowledge to educate the next generation of neuroscientists.

The Institute provides the field of neuroscience a unique, inter‑disciplinary platform for innovation. Powered by the commitment of Linda and Jack Gill - we bring together world‑class scientists and state‑of‑the‑art facilities in the atmosphere of unimpeded experimentation.

Research Technician position is located in the Tracey Lab. This is an excellent opportunity for recently graduated undergraduate students who wish to get research experience before applying to graduate school. Each of the technicians in the Tracey Lab has successfully transitioned to PhD programs after 2‑3 years in this role.

• Maintains Drosophila (fruit fly) stocks, monitors health of stock.
• Determines cause of unhealthy stock and administers proper care procedures accordingly.
• Masters genetic characteristics of each strain; monitors and remembers culture conditions from one generation of stock to the next.
• Maintains records of stock maintenance.
• Orders supplies for the laboratory.
• Performs molecular biology; extracts DNA, performs PCR reactions, DNA sequencing and molecular cloning experiments.
• General lab support.
• Prepares bacteriology plates and stock solutions.

Required

• Some coursework in biology or related field.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Biology.

Required

• Ability to follow written instructions and keep accurate records.
• Responsible and attentive to detail.
• Good organizational skills.
• Decision‑making skills.
• Ability to operate under limited supervision.
• Good judgment.

This position requires the ability to perform extended periods of microscope‑based work requiring fine visual focus. This position conducts repetitive hand movements to manipulate laboratory materials. The position requires the ability to lift and move stock trays (typically under 10 pounds) and discard materials (may exceed 10 pounds) as part of daily operations. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

The job is a mix of Drosophila stock maintenance (25%), molecular biology (25%) and laboratory support tasks (50%). Fly stock maintenance involves tedious, repetitive work and the need to pay attention. During the transfer to fresh media, each fly stock is visually inspected through a microscope. Each stock is genetically unique, but in many cases the differences cannot be distinguished visually.

It is critical that cultures from one stock never become inadvertently mixed with cultures from another. In addition, some strains produce few males or few females so checking that flies of both sexes are present in each new subculture is necessary. Once the transfer is made to fresh media, each stock is identified with a tag that shows the complete genotype.

Monitoring the health of a stock also requires close attention, as the signs of low‑level bacterial or fungal infection can be subtle, yet failure to make an accurate assessment of infection status results in continually unhealthy stocks and provides a focus of infection that can spread to other stocks.

Bloomington, Indiana

This is an in‑person position.

$15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Up to 29 hours per week.

• 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 and 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)

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.

Career Level:

Part Time Employee

FLSA:
Nonexempt

Job Function:
Part Time Employee

Job Family:
Part Time Employee

Request Support Telephone: 812‑856‑1234