We are the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI). We are a leading translational research institute that advances academic and industry science through collaboration to improve patient health outcomes. Building your career at the IBRI in Indianapolis’ 16 Tech Innovation District means being part of a team of renowned scientists, creative thinkers, and innovative leaders.

Today’s research is being driven by significant advances in our abilities to study complex disease processes and propose new ways to improve patients’ lives. To reflect the evolving nature of life sciences research and encourage synergies through collaboration, we’re enhancing our integrated capabilities, adding depth to how we approach patient-informed translational science and pursuing four foundational areas of scientific focus. These four areas will provide us with the core talent and capability to pursue translational science in this new patient-centric framework:

• Disease, Systems, Pathways – We’re working to better understand diabetes and identify new ways to combat the disease. We’re applying this learning to other diseases that share common systems and pathways.
• Molecular Innovation – We’re developing new capabilities for molecular design and drug discovery to investigate disease processes and pursue new therapeutic approaches.
• Integrated Data Sciences – We’re pursuing advanced data sciences to create novel end-user inspired solutions that address complex analysis, simulation, and prediction across the translational sciences.
• Enabling Technologies – We’re building a rich platform of enabling technologies that give our scientists, partners, and collaborators access to the best tools to solve complex scientific problems.

The IBRI’s vision is to build a world-class organization of researchers, innovators and business professionals that catalyze activities across the Indiana (and beyond) life sciences community. To achieve that vision, we look for curious and collaborative team members who are energized by innovation, guided by integrity, and inspired by diversity of thought.

The Opportunity:

Our IBRI Team is seeking an eager Lab Operations and Safety Associate is responsible for managing the operational, safety, and facility needs of laboratory environments to ensure seamless scientific workflows. It involves overseeing lab infrastructure, maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards, coordinating vendor services, and managing inventory and procurement processes. The position plays a key role in fostering a safe, efficient, and well-supported research environment by collaborating with scientists, operations, and administrative leadership to optimize resources and uphold operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

Lab Operations Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of laboratory facilities, ensuring all equipment, materials, and resources are properly maintained and available.
• Assist in the implementation and management of operational procedures and best practices for lab management, maintenance, and efficiency.
• Manage inventory, procurement, and logistics of lab supplies, chemicals, and equipment.
• Coordinate and oversee contractors and service providers to perform maintenance, cleaning, and other lab-related services on laboratory equipment and devices.
• Serve as a point of contact for member, employees, and others, addressing concerns or requests related to the laboratories and fostering a positive environment.
• Maintain and report lab performance metrics and KPIs to the Director of Laboratory Operations, Safety, and Administration.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure laboratory operations comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA, EPA, and other relevant bodies.
• Enforce health and safety policies, procedures, and protocols to maintain a safe working environment.
• Conduct routine safety audits and risk assessments to identify hazards and mitigate potential risks.
• Provide ongoing safety training for lab staff and ensure compliance with safety procedures, including the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to onboard and train employees with access to lab(s).
• Collaborate with scientists to coordinate the removal and disposal of solid and liquid hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal guidelines.

Facilities Maintenance

• Triage and report facility issues to the Director of Laboratory Operations, Safety, and Administration and the property owner/manager to ensure regular maintenance and repair of building systems, ensuring optimal functioning and minimizing downtime, as well as maintain accurate records of the maintenance.
• Coordinate and oversee contractors and service providers to perform maintenance, cleaning, and other facility-related services.
• Ensure the facility complies with all local, state, and federal health and safety regulations, conducting regular safety audits and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct regular inspections of the facility to identify areas requiring repair or upgrade and ensure a clean and safe working environment for employees and visitors.
• Serve as a point of contact for member, employees, and others, addressing concerns or requests related to the facility and fostering a positive environment.

Resource Management

• Ensure that products and services are procured according to the company’s needs, managing purchase orders, and overseeing receipts.
• Collaborate with scientists to maintain inventory levels of general supplies to ensure sufficient allocation of shared resources within budget to meet work demands.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and resource optimization.
• Assist in the preparation of domestic and international shipments of laboratory material arriving to and leaving from the IBRI.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, engineering, facilities management, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in laboratory operations, facilities management, or a similar role in a scientific or research environment.
• Experience working in regulated environments (e.g., OSHA, EPA, FDA, or ISO standards).
• Strong understanding of laboratory equipment, maintenance procedures, and safety protocols.
• Proficiency with inventory management systems and procurement processes.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities to collaborate with scientists, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to respond quickly to operational issues.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with hazardous materials handling, storage, and disposal.
• Ability to interpret and apply local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to maintaining a safe and efficient work environment.
• Comfortability with Microsoft Software Suite (Excel, Lists, Power Automate, PowerBI).

Compensation:

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered commensurate with experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The IBRI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.