Laboratory Instrumentation Specialist (Research Machinist)

IU Indianapolis School of Science is a vital part of Indiana's life, health, and technology industries and allows for unparalleled research and collaboration. We are home to 8 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

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at IU Indianapolis is looking for an energetic person who will be an integral part of a team in an educational setting.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provides instrumental and operations leadership, maintenance, and support for the full complement of instrumentation, specialized facilities, and administrative oversight of our capital equipment base. Given the curricular use of many departmental instruments, effective operation of the teaching labs requires that the individual carry out planned preventative maintenance and time-sensitive troubleshooting of problems.
• Oversees 2 TE employees responsible for lab operation, stores, and planning.
• Performs technical work; installs and maintains laboratory instrumentation, performs preventive maintenance, makes repairs, and performs upgrades to various systems in order to maintain optimal performance, reliability, and accuracy of the data produced by instrumentation,
• Supports integration and regular testing of instruments.
• Directly identifies and provides sources of training for departmental students, staff, and faculty on instrument operation and promotes best practices/standards of operation.
• May assist students/faculty with technical support.
• Maintains service and repair records for all applicable equipment; gathers price comparisons for budget.
• Maintains records for department-wide consumables, such as compressed gasses and instrument time.
• Coordinates lab access by maintaining a roster of access privileges and programming door locks.
• Keeps up with the latest technology; makes informed recommendations to leadership.
• Supervises technical employees and ensures our instrumentation and support functions operate synergistically.

General Responsibilities

• Designs, fabricates, installs, maintains, and repairs new or unique scientific laboratory devices, equipment, components and precision instruments for research and teaching purposes.
• Consults with equipment end-users regarding design material selection and application; manages inventory of necessary supplies.
• Reads and interprets blueprints and hand-drawn sketches and oral instructions; measures to desired degree of accuracy.
• Uses computer software/programs to design parts and generate specifications needed to fabricate devices (such as CNC codes for machine tools).
• Tests and debugs prototypes and finished products; troubleshoots and diagnoses equipment failure and prescribes and makes necessary repairs or modifications.
• Oversees non-shop/lab personnel when in the shop/lab as to use of machines or tools; provides training and education resources as needed.
• Modifies purchased and existing equipment to meet experimental/research needs.
• May provide daily oversight and guidance to less experienced staff.

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).

Required

• Bachelor's degree in physical sciences, engineering, or relevant field (chemistry or physics highly desired).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years of formal training in machine trades.
• 3 years of experience as a machinist.

Preferred

• 1 year of troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, or modification experience relevant to laboratory instrumentation, infrastructure, and/or electronics used in the chemical or other physical sciences.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient 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.
• Quickly troubleshoots and resolves problems.
• Strong mechanical skills.
• Possesses strong technical aptitude.
• Ability to work in a safe and efficient manner.
• Knowledge of the tools, materials, methods, and techniques of the machinist trade, such as: operation and programming of CNC machines (mill and lathe); set-up and use of metal working machines (mills, lathes, band saw, drill press); maintenance and use of welding equipment (MIG, TIG, Acetylene, etc.); maintenance and use of wood working machines both stationary (table saw, drill press, chop saw, jointer, surface planer, drum stander, vertical sander, router table/shaper, etc.) and both power and manual hand tools (drills, grinders, biscuit jointer, saws, routers, etc.); various design software.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the machinist trade.
• Ability to design delicate scientific apparatus from verbal instructions and rough sketches.
• Ability to maintain close tolerance precision work from oral or written instructions, sketches, blueprints, and models.
• Ability to use the precision tools and equipment common to the machinist trade.

Preferred

• Ability to readily learn and apply new information/concepts.
• Ability to solve complex instrumentation problems, using scientific and/or engineering skills.
• Ability to carry out planned preventative maintenance and time-sensitive troubleshooting of problems.
• Ability to provide broad instrumentation and facilities support.
• Ability to draw on prior experience in scientific instrument operation, maintenance, repair and/or use that is related to the chemical or other physical sciences.
• Demonstrates technical expertise to repair and assist in replacing departmental instruments.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to remain in a stationary position as well as the ability to move about the workplace for long durations. It requires effective communication, the ability to operate machinery, tools, and controls. The role requires the ability to ascend/descend ladders/stairs, and to position one's self in low level positions, detect a variety of chemicals and/or gases. The role requires the ability to ascend to rooftops and move in tight spaces to perform and complete inspections. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure .

Job Classification

Career Level: Mastery

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Research Machinists

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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 employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's 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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