Description

The Indiana University (IU) School of Public Health-Bloomington (SPH-B) offers top-ranked academic programs that prepare students for challenging careers preventing disease and promoting wellness in our communities.
The School of Public Health-Bloomington is home to 5 academic departments with more than 140 faculty that conduct major research projects , publish, teach, and engage with communities across a broad spectrum of health, wellness, and disease-prevention topics. You'll find faculty and students making new discoveries and finding effective solutions to public health issues throughout our laboratories, classrooms, and centers .

Job Summary

As a lab manager in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) labs and in overseeing the Aegis Study's management and operations, the role is complex and multi-faceted with significant influence over scientific, operational, and administrative functions. The complexity arises from balancing high-level strategic planning with detailed, hands-on operational oversight, all within a regulated field and controlled environment. The Lab Manager will oversee day-to-day technical operations for frozen samples collected for the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (EBIO) Aegis study, supervise the Aegis laboratory student staff, and monitor/maintain the Aegis cryo-freezers.
Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure all activities strictly follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as well as internal, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Make decisions related to SOP enforcement, quality assurance and control, and training and competency.
• Work with the supervisor and other faculty or staff in the labs to solve any problems that may arise.
• Prepare, set up, and execute field and lab experiments according to established protocols. Coordinate reagents ordering and inventory and maintain up to date animal and reagents inventory.
• Monitor freezer temperatures, respond to alarms, maintain carbon dioxide (CO2) backup systems, and implement contingency plans for equipment failure (including emergency sample transport).
• Develop and carry out defrosting and maintenance plans.
• Maintain supplies (dry ice, lab cart equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE)), manage constrained workspace, and coordinate purchasing and receiving.
• Develop, implement, and enforce safety and laboratory protocols, including proper PPE and handling of biological materials.
• Direct research assistant (RA) workflows for sample retrieval and packing; coordinate with external labs and couriers.
• Maintain and update Excel-based sample tracking logs, verify mislabeled samples, restructure archives as needed, and prepare documentation for outgoing shipments.
• Collect, manage, and organize analytical data; prepare reports and ensure documentation meets quality assurance standards.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and schedule part-time student RA employees as needed; oversee their timesheets; conduct regular meetings, and provide shift support.
• Train junior-level staff and students; serve as a point of contact for lab-related inquiries.
• Oversee laboratory equipment, including setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Coordinate supply requisitions.
• Plan and assist in designing experiments, short-term research goals, and maintaining compliance with departmental research standards.

General Responsibilities

• Perform a wide variety of complex experiments and reports results.
• Organize analytical data of performed experiments. May submit findings for publication.
• Install and maintain research equipment.
• Act as a liaison to students and laboratory personnel for training.
• Maintain laboratory supply requisition and management.
• Train junior-level staff.
• Plan experiments and short-term goals.
• May travel in order to service various research sites.

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 science or related field

Preferred

• Advanced degree

WORK EXPERIENCE
Required

• 2 years of related research experience

Preferred

• 2 years of laboratory experience or in research management, ideally including student staff supervision
• Work in sample management, biosafety protocols, or health-related studies

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Required

• Valid driver's license with the ability to be insured by Indiana University

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
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to build strong customer relationships

Preferred

• Strong organizational, supervisory, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects across departments
• Proficiency in data management systems (Excel, REDCap, etc.)
• High commitment to quality, safety, and professionalism

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 up to 2-year appointment manages laboratory operations and is divided between 2 distinct research efforts housed within the SPH-B Innovation Center:

• The Aegis COVID-19 Study (EBIO).
• Lab management needs within the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana
This is an in-person position.

Advertised Salary

$16.54 - $25.28 per hour, based on experience.
Salary plan and grade: PAA3RY
This is a CWA union covered position.

Work Hours

9:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekdays, with additional evening and weekend availability as required by event schedules.

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: Research Analysis
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

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.