LHSI Intern: Logistics and Automation Technician in Molecular Biology Lab

Program Summary:    

This internship is offered as a part of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program (LHSI). This program connects 125 IU Indianapolis undergraduates per year with internships on campus with faculty and staff in a variety of health and science related campus areas/programs. All LHSI internships start in August 2025 and end in May 2026 and are paid $13/hour for up to 10 hours per week. Work-study is accepted but not required.  

Supervisor: Dr. Milos Marinkovic 

Department/Office: Medicine; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery 

Overview of the internship site: Our lab studies how the extracellular matrix, or the physical environment which surrounds stem cells, stores critical information that controls their behavior. We are focused on understanding the biological processes that influence bone health and regeneration, particularly relating to aging of stem cells and their environment. By studying how these processes change the extracellular matrix, we aim to develop innovative strategies to improve bone healing and address age-related bone disorders. 

Website for more information:  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: You will work directly with scientists to help automate logistics, data keeping and other research processes in our lab. Duties will include setting up inventory and tracking systems for cells and chemicals, automate certain aspects of data-gathering, and help implement our electronic notes system. 

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in a lab setting and an office setting with dress code: basic laboratory safety dress code, including wearing a lab coat, safety goggles, gloves, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and compliance with safety protocols. 

Project-specific qualifications: Ideal candidates are detail-oriented and self-motivated. While no coding experience is necessary, a strong interest in automation software and big data is crucial. 

Hours per week: 10; flexible within regular work hours 

By the end of the LHSI program, you will: 

Carefully consider, explore, and articulate your career goals, including an analysis of how you arrived at that path and what steps you need to take next. (Community Contributor, Communicator) 

Understand your role and strengths on a professional team and analyze who you would like to become as a professional. (Communicator) 

Gain and strengthen skills relevant to next steps after graduation, such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, analysis/synthesis/evaluation, independence, confronting/challenging failure, problem-solving and perseverance, and constructive criticism. (Problem Solver, Communicator) 

Convey ideas and knowledge effectively through an ePortfolio and presentation of your internship work. (Problem Solver, Communicator) 

Set and meet your own additional learning goals identified with your supervisor. 

LHSI Qualifications    

must be graduating May 2027 or after (usually a current freshman or sophomore in Spring 2025)   

Current full time IU Indianapolis undergraduate in 2025-26  

minimum overall GPA of 2.0   

All majors welcome 

To apply: 

LHSI accepts 125 interns per year. All available sites are listed in Handshake and will start with the position title “LHSI Intern.” Complete the application for LHSI at go.iu.edu/lhsi and list 3-4 internship sites on that application. You will meet with at least 2 of these if selected for interviews.