Research Technician (Laboratory Research Assistant)

$34,000 - $42,000/Yr

Indiana University - South Bend, IN

Full-time - Entry Level

South Bend, IN

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Research Technician position at Indiana University School of Medicine - South Bend involves providing essential laboratory support to the Principal Investigator in research focused on the role of the vasculature in lung development. The technician will be responsible for maintaining laboratory operations, handling laboratory specimens, and conducting various research experiments, including data analysis and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Maintains laboratory by cleaning and storing glassware, maintaining stocks of sterilized glassware, plastic ware, and pipette tips, and supervising others in these tasks.
• Orders supplies including reagents, consumables, and equipment.
• Handles mice, including injections and dissection for tissue analysis.
• Maintains established human and murine cell lines.
• Prepares tissue extracts for Western blotting, RNA isolation, and immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry.
• Conducts reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays.
• Trains new students and laboratory personnel.
• Plans individual experiments and long-term project goals.
• Analyzes, summarizes, and presents data from experiments regarding vascular mediators' impact on lung development.
• Initiates, monitors, completes, and reports on routine to moderately complex research studies.
• Organizes and implements data review and analysis.
• Oversees proper handling of laboratory specimens including processes, shipping, storage, and documentation.
• Conducts data quality assurance practices.
• Prepares research summaries and assists in progress report development.
• Maintains laboratory work areas and supply inventory.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in science or health-related discipline.
• Proficient communication skills.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Time management and priority setting skills.
• High commitment to quality.
• Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Highly thorough and dependable.

Nice-to-haves

• Some laboratory experience.
• Animal handling skills (training and certification required but can be obtained on the job).
• Basic computer skills, basic math and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to read scientific literature.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Experience with laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, balances, cell culture equipment, gel electrophoresis, and PCR machines.

Benefits

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)