Laboratory Research Assistant

Overview

ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL (BL-ENVR-IUBLA). Laboratory technician position in the Capone Lab in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health - Bloomington. Two lab technician positions are available, under the direction of Dr. Drew Capone.

Dr. Drew Capone's research group studies 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, and wet lab work in Bloomington, Indiana. We use concepts from engineering, epidemiology, and environmental health microbiology to investigate problems affecting low-income individuals and aim to improve public health in the communities where these people live.

The lab technician will join a multi-disciplinary team in Bloomington, Indiana, of microbiologists, virologists, environmental engineers, entomologists, biologists, and epidemiologists to work on a unique set of projects. The primary focus will be conducting environmental surveillance of surface water, wastewater, and blow flies for avian influenza in Indiana.

• Leads laboratory and field studies.
• Collaborates with graduate students and postdocs; contributes to new knowledge aligned with the laboratory’s goals.
• Designs experiments, analyzes data, and contributes to peer‑reviewed publications.
• Travel to scientific meetings may be supported; formal training is available in academic writing, research ethics, rigor and reproducibility, and research management.
• Develops independent research interests, writes scientific manuscripts, and gains expertise in environmental health microbiology, data analysis, project management, and academic writing.
• Collects environmental samples in the field.
• Laboratory analysis using culture‑dependent and culture‑independent approaches; data management and data analysis.
• Contributes to other Capone Lab domestic and international projects.

• Initiation, monitoring, completion, and reporting of 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 and transfer to designated central laboratories.
• Conducts data quality assurance practices.
• Prepares research summaries and assists in progress report development.
• Maintains laboratory work areas and supply inventory.

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.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor's degree in science or health‑related discipline.
• Preferred:
  Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Microbiology, Entomology, or a related field.
• Preferred
  
  Work Experience:
  
  Some laboratory experience; fieldwork experience.

• Required:
  
  Proficient communication skills; maintains professionalism; strong time management and priority setting; commitment to quality; flexibility to work in a fast‑paced environment; highly thorough and dependable.
• Preferred:
  Strong written and oral communication skills; good organizational skills and attention to detail; interest in gaining experience in environmental health microbiology; experience with culture‑based methods, molecular microbiology methods (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, qPCR, dPCR), and quantitative data analysis is a plus.

The role regularly requires the ability to communicate effectively, move about the work environment, and position oneself to operate laboratory equipment. The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and may involve working near moving mechanical parts. The person in this role must be able to perform essential functions with or without an accommodation.