Laboratory Research Assistant
Department
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL (BL-ENVR-IUBLA)
Department Information
Located on the flagship campus of the Indiana University (IU) 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, 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.
Job Summary
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.
Department-Specific Responsibilities
- 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 post docs, and generates new knowledge that is congruent with the overall goals of the laboratory.
- Designs experiments, analyzes data, and contributes to peer-reviewed publications.
General Responsibilities
- 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.
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
- High school diploma or equivalent (such as HSED or GED)
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health, environmental engineering, biology, microbiology, entomology, or a related field
WORK EXPERIENCE
Preferred
- 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 field work
SKILLS
Required
- 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
Preferred
- 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
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.
Additional Information
This is a USDA grant-funded position. 2 years of funding are available, and the position is potentially renewable after the 1st year depending on performance and funding availability.
Resources are available for travel to scientific meetings, and formal training is available with regards to academic writing, research ethics, rigor and reproducibility, and research management. There will also be opportunities to develop independent research interests, write scientific manuscripts, and to gain expertise in environmental health microbiology, data analysis, project management, and academic writing.
There may be an opportunity for field work in Maputo, Mozambique as part of the PARAR (Patógenos, meio Ambiente, Resistência Antimicrobiana e águas Residuais) Study. Additional opportunities may include work on domestic and international projects such as:
- QUEST (Quelimane Urban Environmental Sanitation Transformation) in Quelimane, Mozambique
- The DigIndy Study, which investigates the environmental and public health impacts of a combined sewer overflow intervention in Indianapolis.
Work Location
IU School of Public Health
Bloomington, Indiana
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