Laboratory Research Assistant

Department

ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL (BL-ENVR-IUBLA)

Located on the flagship campus of the Indiana University System, IU School of Public Health-Bloomington has over 200 faculty in 5 departments. Indiana University is classified as an R1-Highest Research Activity university and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) and boasts numerous resources. IU School of Public Health-Bloomington combines aspects of a traditional university campus with a strong teaching focus and the research infrastructure of a research-intensive institution.

Dr. Drew Capone's research group within the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health has broad interests in environmental health microbiology. Current projects include public health surveillance using fecal waste streams, microbial fate and transport, the role of infrastructure in interrupting enteric pathogen transmission, and predicting public health outcomes using quantitative microbial risk assessment. Lab members conduct field research in Mozambique and Indiana, as well as wet lab work in Bloomington, Indiana.

We use tools from engineering, epidemiology, and environmental health microbiology to investigate the problems affecting low‑income individuals and aim to improve public health in the communities where these people live.

Under the direction of Dr. Drew Capone, the lab technician will join a multi-disciplinary team of microbiologists, virologists, environmental engineers, entomologists, biologists, and epidemiologists to work on a unique set of projects. The primary focus will be evaluating the persistence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria carried by coprophagous flies.

• Responsible for maintaining a colony of blow flies, conducting controlled feeding studies of blow flies, as well as culture‑based analysis of antibiotic‑resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) carried by coprophagous flies.
• Leads laboratory and field studies, collaborates with graduate students and postdocs, and generates new knowledge that is congruent with the overall goals of the laboratory.
• Designs experiments, analyzes data, and contributes to peer‑reviewed publications.

• Cleans and maintains laboratory equipment.
• Monitors and inventories laboratory supply levels.
• Assists with and performs routine laboratory procedures and preparations.
• Maintains regulatory paperwork.
• Moves and relocates sensitive equipment as needed.
• May participate in the disposal of biological or radioactive waste.

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.

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

• Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health, environmental engineering, biology, microbiology, entomology, or a related field

• Experience with culture‑based methods, molecular microbiology methods (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, qPCR, dPCR), and quantitative data analysis
• Fieldwork experience or an interest in international fieldwork

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality

• Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as organizational skills and attention to detail
• Interest in gaining experience in environmental health microbiology
• Spanish or Portuguese language skills

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…