RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION OPENING FOR SPH-B AEGIS STUDY

SUMMARY

The Aegis Research Study is a large longitudinal cohort study related to COVID in the School of Public Health – Bloomington (SPH-B), for which thousands of human blood samples were collected in several sites across the US and shipped to IU. These samples are now stored at ultra-low temperature (-80C) in the IU Innovation Center (10^th & the bypass, Bloomington, IN) and need to be retrieved, organized/consolidated in cryoboxes, tracked on Excel spreadsheets, and shipped to external labs for assays.

The study team is looking for two hourly research assistants to help with the organization, packing and shipping of these samples. Pay is $16.5/hour, 10-25 hrs/week on average depending on availability.

JOB DUTIES

Work is mostly in person at the Innovation Center (2719 E 10th St, Bloomington, IN). Parking is available on site and requires IU permit. Regular duties are:

1. Sample Identification: Use Excel sheets to locate red blood cell, plasma, and serum samples needed for shipment by Site, ID, and collection date.
2. Sample Handling: Retrieve samples from ultra-low-temperature freezers, place them in cryoboxes, and update their locations in Excel, while minimizing time outside the freezer.
3. Sample Organization: Consolidate and organize samples by type, ID, and collection date, ensuring accurate tracking in Excel.
4. Prompt communication: this includes communicating with teammates via Teams, email, and during bi-weekly meetings.
5. Assisting with miscellaneous tasks (e.g., freezer defrosting, temperature alarm monitoring, purchasing of supplies, shipping and receiving) when needed.

REQUIREMENTS

Work requires working knowledge of Excel, Teams, and email, handling of samples stored at ultra-low temperature while wearing PPE, ability to lift up to 25lbs of weight and to stand for several hours. Research assistants will use their own laptop to access the spreadsheets of sample locations.

Previous experience with handling samples is preferred. Necessary trainings will be completed upon hiring. We require excellent organization and attention to detail (this is necessary as there are thousands of samples in storage to sort through), responsiveness, collaborative attitude, and ability to work independently (after initial training). You will need to be available throughout the summer. We will work around your class and exam schedule as well as requested time off.

Availability to join for several months is preferred. If you are interested in this position, please email the Aegis Project Manager, Caryn Adams (Wolfe) (cwolfe@mbclinicalresearch.com), including a resume and two contacts for references.

How to Prepare for Grad School – Owen Hall 101
Friday, April 4, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Are you considering the possibility of going to graduate school and have no idea where to begin? Join us to hear peer mentors’ advice on preparing for this next big step! (This will be best suited for students in the natural, mathematical, and social sciences, though some advice may also be relevant to the arts and humanities.)
Register here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1831035-undergrad-research-how-to-find-a-research-mentor 

Resilience in Undergrad Research: How to Prioritize Your Mental Health – Owen Hall 101
Friday, April 4, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Research is 99% failure. How do you cope with this? Join the Office of Undergraduate Research for an interactive session that will provide strategies on how to bounce back and build a support network while addressing feelings of imposter syndrome and results-oriented self-worth that many students encounter while conducting research. 
Register here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1831023-resilience-in-undergrad-research-how-to-prioritize 

How to Find a Research Mentor – Owen Hall 103
Monday, April 7, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Learn how to prepare for a semester of research, including planning your schedule, researching potential mentors, crafting professional emails, and writing a compelling statement of interest. Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your research journey!
Register here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1831035-undergrad-research-how-to-find-a-research-mentor  

How to Conference – Owen Hall 103
Monday, April 7, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Research conferences are an extremely rewarding and insightful experience for undergraduate students involved in research. Join us for an informative session where peer mentors who have attended research conferences in the past will provide you with essential tips, tricks, and advice on all things conference!
Register here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1831047-undergrad-research-how-to-conference 

Coffee Q&A – Owen Hall 304
Wednesday, April 9, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Grab a caffeinated beverage and get answers to your questions about undergraduate research! Drop in any time during the event to grab a cup of coffee and ask a few questions. Staff and peer mentors will be on hand to answer questions about finding mentors, funding research, and other opportunities.
Sign up for a reminder here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1828079-undergrad-research-coffee-qampa 

Peer Mentor Q&A – Owen Hall 103
Friday, April 11, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Get answers to your questions about undergrad research directly from your peers! Drop in any time during the event to ask a few questions before heading back to class. Peer mentors currently conducting research will be on hand to answer questions about finding mentors, funding research, and other opportunities.
Sign up for a reminder here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1830873-undergrad-research-peer-mentor-qampa 

Coffee Q&A – Owen Hall 304
Monday, April 14, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Grab a caffeinated beverage and get answers to your questions about undergraduate research! Drop in any time during the event to grab a cup of coffee and ask a few questions. Staff and peer mentors will be on hand to answer questions about finding mentors, funding research, and other opportunities.
Sign up for a reminder here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1828102-undergrad-research-coffee-qampa

Workshop: Creating a Resume/CV – Owen Hall 101
Wednesday, April 16, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Are you currently working on applications and don’t quite know where to start on that resume? Join us for this informative workshop where peer mentors who have written resumes for undergrad and post-grad opportunities (medical school, grad school, jobs, etc.) will provide you with essential tips, tricks, and advice regarding your resumes.
You are welcome to bring resume drafts to this workshop and ask for feedback or brainstorm ideas with us there to provide input.
Register for your time slot here: https://coaswebs.sitehost.iu.edu/machform/view.php?id=1200621

How to Prepare for the MCAT – Owen Hall 101
Friday, April 18, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Navigating MCAT preparation while maintaining or looking for research opportunities can be very challenging on top of classwork and other responsibilities. Join the College Office of Undergraduate Research for this informative workshop, where peer mentors who have taken the MCAT will provide you with essential tips, tricks, and advice on how to navigate these potential challenges.
Register here: https://events.iu.edu/oour/event/1831062-undergrad-research-how-to-prepare-for-the-mcat 

Workshop: Writing a Personal Statement – Owen Hall 101
Monday, April 21, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Are you currently working on applications and don’t quite know where to start on that personal statement? Join us for this informative workshop where peer mentors who have written personal statements for post-grad opportunities (medical school, grad school, jobs, etc.) will provide you with essential tips, tricks, and advice regarding your personal statements.
You are welcome to bring drafts to this workshop and ask for feedback or brainstorm ideas with us there to provide input.
Register for your time slot here: https://coaswebs.sitehost.iu.edu/machform/view.php?id=1200621  

Event Details:

• Overview:  Hear from neurodivergent IU Alumni about their workplace experiences, success strategies, and career journeys. This is a great opportunity to gain insight into what it’s like navigating one’s career journey as a neurodiverse individual.
• Event Name: Neurodiversity IU Alumni Panel on Careers
• Date: Friday, April 11th, 2024
• Time: 12pm – 1:30pm
• In Person: Ernie Pyle Hall, Room 252
• Virtual: https://iu.zoom.us/j/86322902471
• Refreshments: We’re ordering Qdoba Taco Bar for everyone who can attend in person!
• RSVP: If interested please register here to help us plan accordingly.

Please feel free to reach out to alladkin@iu.edu with any questions.

We are excited to inform you about the upcoming Connect Conference hosted by the College of Arts + Sciences’ Walter Center for Career Achievement. This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to explore the diverse applications of your liberal arts education and connect with alumni and professionals across various industries.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Indiana Memorial Union (IMU)

Why Attend?

• Learn from Alumni: Engage with accomplished IU alumni who have navigated diverse career paths. They’re eager to share their experiences, offer insights into their industries, and provide advice on how to transition from college to career.
• Gain Career Insights: Participate in Career Chats and panel discussions where alumni will share real-world perspectives on leveraging your liberal arts education, breaking into different industries, and navigating career challenges.
• Support Your Peers: Cheer on fellow students as they pitch their innovative ideas in the Connect Challenge. Gain inspiration from their creativity and see firsthand how ideas can turn into opportunities.

This conference is free to attend, but registration is required. Secure your spot and review the full schedule of events here: https://careers.college.indiana.edu/landing-pages/connect-conference.html

Don’t miss this chance to broaden your horizons and connect with professionals who were once in your shoes. We hope to see you there!

Writing Tutorial Services has a new weekly drop-in writing group for undergraduate students! We will meet Fridays 1-3 pm at Writing Tutorial Services (room 110) in the West Tower of Wells Library. This group is drop-in, meaning you do not need to notify us or sign up to come, and if you cannot come exactly at 1 pm or stay the whole time you are still very welcome to join.

Are you struggling to set aside focused work time for your writing assignments or make realistic writing goals? Want a quiet place to set those goals and get some writing done? Join us at WTS on Friday afternoons to write in solidarity with your peers. Bring any writing assignment for an IU course, at any stage in the drafting and editing process.

This group will be co-facilitated by two WTS tutors. We will start with a 10-15 minute check-in, in which each participant will share their writing goals for the session. We will then spend 90 minutes working independently on our separate writing tasks (please note that this is not a space for individualized feedback–students are encouraged to book appointments with WTS tutors to have someone look at their draft). At the end of the session, each participant will share what they accomplished and create some next steps.

Undergrads of all majors and years are welcome! Snacks and beverages provided.

Questions? Email wts@iu.edu.

The Medical Sciences program is offering an exciting new course this summer. Here is the course description:

“Throughout history, humans have developed some seemingly odd medical cures and procedures. Oftentimes this was caused by a misguided view of the human body.  MSCI-M300: Misguided Medicine (3 cr.) is a fully online, asynchronous summer course (June 6 – August 1, 2025) that dives into these seemingly odd and misguided past medical practices, the anatomy and physiology behind them, and their ethical implications. Using the Sawbones podcast, we’ll uncover misguided treatments and how medical knowledge has evolved over time.”

Full-Time Teaching & Leadership Opportunity – Apply by March 10

Seniors, this is your LAST chance to apply and step into a critical teaching role where your leadership is needed most, joining a supportive community dedicated to empowering kids through education access, with over 40 locations across the country.

🌍 Featured Region: Indianapolis– Our students in this community urgently need passionate, committed leaders.

Why Apply Now?

✔️ Make an Immediate Impact: Step into a full-time role where you are needed most.

✔️ Leadership Growth: Develop professional skills in a position with full salary and benefits.

✔️ Join a Network: Become part of a 64,000+ alumni community who share your values as an advocate.

📅Apply by March 10 | All majors accepted

Ignite (All Years [must be enrolled]):

Do you want to make a direct impact next semester? Consider applying to Teach For America’s Ignite Fellowship to work directly with elementary, middle, or high school students next spring. We’re seeking college students to lead virtual, small-group tutoring sessions for 3 – 5 hours a week. This is a part-time, paid opportunity to build meaningful relationships with youth, accelerate student success, and hone your leadership skills.

• Check out the application.  Submit your application by April 30th, 2025

Do you have a unique, innovative idea that you would love to bring to life? Have you been thinking about your next art, social good or business project? Consider applying to the Connect Challenge Pitch Competition!

Hosted by the Walter Center for Career Achievement, The Connect Challenge is a pitch competition in which students are invited to present their innovative ideas to a panel of industry professionals and IU alumni, for a chance to win scholarship money to bring their ideas to life. Ideas can be anything from artistic endeavors, to technology, inventions, startups, research, business ideas and more!

Students submit their ideas through an online application (opening February 28). Finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas during the College of Arts + Sciences Connect Conference on April 4, 2025. Winners will be awarded a prize package in the form of a $2,000 academic scholarship.

To learn more about the application process, timeline and pitching ideas, students are encouraged to attend an upcoming Information Session (event details here) via Zoom on Wednesday, February 26, from 5:30-6:30pm.

The application will be open February 28-March 16. Check out the Connect Challenge website to learn more about this unique opportunity!

You can stop by anytime between classes!

THE 2025 HEALTH PROGRAMS FAIR

INDIANA UNIVERSITY-BLOOMINGTON 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Indiana Memorial Union – Alumni Hall

Come find out about career choices, educational opportunities, and campus resources related to the healthcare professions.

Meet with representatives from medical schools and health professions programs from across the country.

For more information and to view health professions areas and programs registered go to https://hpplc.indiana.edu/events-workshops/health-programs-fair.html.