IUPUI Lead Laboratory Technician
Are you curious about the environment around you? Does compassion drive you to improve your community’s health and quality of life? Do you want to apply your knowledge and expertise to help shape the world around you?
Dr. Filippelli’s Lead Lab and the Center for Urban Health is looking for motivated students from all backgrounds to join our research team. Our lab uses community-engaged science to investigate toxic lead pollution and lead poisoning, with an emphasis on minimizing risk among vulnerable populations. Lead Lab technicians will be trained to perform a wide variety of critical lab tasks, including sample preparation, sample analysis, and project management. Technicians also have many opportunities to participate in community education and outreach events. We ask that technicians commit to working at least six hours per week, and they may work up to 29 hours per week, with the flexibility to choose their work schedule. We champion a healthy work-life balance, encouraging all team members to prioritize health, family, and academics. No previous lab experience is necessary! Team members will receive training in all required lab procedures and analytical techniques.
After training, technicians will be responsible for:
- Preparing samples for analysis
- Analyzing samples such as soil, dust, and drinking water for contamination
- Record-keeping and data management
- Maintaining lab equipment
- Ensuring all safety guidelines are followed strictly at all times
- Attending weekly lab meetings on Zoom or in-person (depending on COVID-19 protocols)
- Other, depending on the interests of the technician and the needs of the lab
There will be opportunities to learn or improve many skills, such as:
- Application of the scientific method
- Science communication
- Community engagement and education
- Cutting-edge analytical instrumentation, such as:
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
- X-ray diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV)
- Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES)
- Laser diffraction particle size analysis
- Website design and maintenance
- Data synthesis and interpretation
- Field work techniques
- Other, depending on the interests of the technician and the needs of the lab
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - Any IUPUI enrolled student from any major and undergraduate level with at least one year remaining before graduation is encouraged to apply. Those from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM are especially encouraged to apply. Work-study accepted.