Department Information

Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis School of Science is a vital part of Indiana's life, health, and technology industries and allows for unparalleled research and collaboration. We are home to 6 departments and programs representing many different aspects of the science world. Our faculty and staff are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Our faculty engage in cutting-edge research in a wide variety of fields, including biochemistry and molecular biology, clinical psychology, forensic science, pure and applied math, and more.

We pride ourselves on our interdisciplinary approach, extensive undergraduate research opportunities, professional school placements, and service to our students. Our graduates are the life blood of an economy that needs innovative thinkers, contributing team members, and eager learners. Committed to having real impact in their work and community, our graduates emerge from the School of Science as well-rounded scientists whose experiences have prepared them to solve the problems of the future.

The IU Indianapolis campus is located near downtown Indianapolis, a city that uniquely combines the cultural amenities of urban life with the residential qualities of smaller communities and is highly affordable. As the major center for industry and government within the state, Indianapolis has a wide variety of research and training sites.

The Barrett Lab at Indiana University Indianapolis researches the insect experience through 2 primary questions: 1) how have insects' brains evolved to help them meet the constraints of their environment or perform cognitively demanding behaviors; and 2) what indicators can tell us if insects may have good or bad welfare?

Job Summary

The Barrett Lab seeks a Laboratory Research Specialist to help lead day-to-day operations in the lab.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Design research approaches for experimental projects, including background research, experimental design and execution, problem solving, and data analysis and writing of manuscripts.
• Maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes, animal health, and facility conditions.
• Develop new protocols and test/evaluate each approach; maintain clear records of protocols for future lab use.
• Help collect data and prepare submissions for funding and grants.
• Prepare reports on research projects.
• Contribute original ideas to the lab's research mission and proceed with them to facilitate research projects.
• Work with Health and Safety, Animal Care and Use, and other departments/university staff to ensure the lab complies with regulations and trainings.
• Keep the lab stocked with supplies and engage in administrative assistance to the Principal Investigator (PI) with research and university-related tasks.
• Maintain critical laboratory equipment.
• May present ongoing work and findings at academic events.
• Help with animal husbandry and animal welfare assessment.
• Supervise and train other staff, including hiring, performance management, and other duties.
• Foster a respectful, thriving, collaborative research environment for all members of the team.

General Responsibilities

• Lead research activities and protocol development.
• Maintain equipment, including preventive maintenance, scheduling repairs as needed, service agreement negotiations, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and maintaining an active list of vendors to respond to equipment loss.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide training for junior-level staff.
• Prepare summary data reports and create and maintain databases for storage and analysis.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local and federal regulations.
• May design and conduct a wide range of complex experiments.

Additional Information

This is a 2-year, fixed-term position.

Ideally, the hired lab manager would start as soon as possible, and the start date cannot be later than January 1st, 2026.

Work Location

IU Indianapolis campus

Indianapolis, Indiana

Benefits Overview

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.

Job Classification

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Laboratory Research

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.
Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Qualifications

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 a science related field

Preferred

• Master's degree in a science related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 3 years of laboratory research experience

Preferred

• Experience with insect brain dissections (especially if taxonomically broad), histology, oxidative stress biomarker assays, biogenic amine analysis, and/or confocal microscopy
• Experience with insect husbandry (particularly desired if experience is with black soldier flies)
• Experience in managing lab staff and mentoring students/trainees
• Experience with grant and manuscript writing and reporting

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient in written and verbal communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Preferred

• Proactive and independent with excellent organizational skills to complete detailed work accurately and on time without micromanagement
• Strong project management and leadership skills
• Extensive understanding of scientific principles and research design
• Expert knowledge and skills in the fields of science related to the lab's research foci and ability to quickly learn new skills
• Integrity in conducting and documenting scientific work and ability to treat animals used in research ethically
• Strong scientific communication skills and intercultural competencies
• Independent, motivated, and interdisciplinary researcher
• Experience in computational analysis and statistics (R, GraphPad Prism)
• Knowledge of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) and other regulations relevant to safe laboratory work

Working Conditions / Demands

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.