Laboratory Animal Technician

Department

BIOLOGY (IN-BIOL-IUINA)

Department Information

Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis School of Science is a vital part of Indianas 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.

Job Summary

This position will support a research program focused on how the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) regulate immune signaling in the brain across development and disease, including infection, inflammation, and hydrocephalus. The work integrates in vivo animal models, human cohort studies, molecular biology, imaging, and transcriptomic approaches. This is intended as a multi-year research technician position with opportunities for significant involvement in both experimental research and laboratory operations.

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Becomes a central member of the lab and contributes to the development and maintenance of research workflows.
• Manages mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, and record keeping.
• Assists with in vivo experiments, tissue collection, and sample processing.
• Performs molecular and cellular assays, including Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histology, staining, and imaging.
• Organizes data and maintains accurate experimental records.
• Contributes to the development and optimization of laboratory workflows and day-to-day operations.

General Responsibilities

• Performs experienced animal husbandry and/or assists with animal clinical care and other related tasks (such as compliance/regulatory functions, process improvement, medical evaluations, supportive medical treatments and procedures, surgery support, diagnostic testing, checking protocols, maintaining inventory supply, performing audits/inspections, outcome tracking, cost analysis, etc.) and with communication between appropriate persons/entities as a liaison (investigators, staff, vendors, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), regulatory bodies, inspectors, etc.).
• Oversees and/or acts as lead in laboratory animal operations; may provide day to day oversight to less experienced technicians, including creating work assignments and managing attendance/performance.
• Provides experienced technical support such as administering medications, performing treatments and/or assisting with surgical procedures on animals as directed; assesses active clinical cases and reports findings; collects specimens, such as blood and/or microbiological swabbing, as directed; provides assistance in more complex animal surgeries, procedures, and operations.
• Ensures and maintains proper setup and maintenance of standard and/or specialized apparatus or laboratory animal equipment; ensures proper sanitation and environment.
• Creates, maintains, and verifies proper record keeping and documentation (experiment/testing documentation, clinical records, surgery and/or maintenance records, treatment logs, quality assurance testing, equipment preventative maintenance, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) records, EHS and other safety documents, daily activity sheets) in a regulatory environment; creates organizational and tracking documents, including procedural descriptions Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); performs data entry and generates reports as needed.
• Demonstrates proper techniques and procedures by providing information as a leader, trainer, and subject matter expert to research faculty, staff, and/or less experienced technicians.
• Creates, maintains, and updates training materials and informational resources (such as handouts, visual aids, formal and informal presentations, content for e-training and online platforms, SOPs, procedural descriptions, etc.).

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

• Bachelors degree in biology, neuroscience or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 5 years of relevant animal care experience.

Preferred

• Supervisory/lead technician experience.
• Experience with mouse models, histology, or molecular biology.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• Valid drivers license and ability to be insured by Indiana University upon date of hire.
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification (2nd level or higher) upon date of hire.

SKILLS

Required

• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities.
• Demonstrates customer service skills.
• Experience in a regulated environment.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to build strong customer relationships.
• Familiarity and skill in all aspects of animal husbandry.
• Ability to assist with animal surgeries and procedures (including euthanizing as needed).

Preferred

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Willingness to develop technical expertise in a collaborative research environment.

Working Conditions / Demands

This position requires the ability to move about for long periods of time, perform repetitive movements, and operate equipment, tools, or controls. It also requires the ability to move items weighing up to 40 pounds. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential duties with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

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.

Work Location

Indiana University Indianapolis

Downtown 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: Mastery

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Animal Research

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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

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.

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

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