IBRI is poised to transform life sciences—and for millions of people, even life itself.

The Opportunity:

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) Therapeutic Area is seeking a Research Assistant to support day-to-day laboratory operations and ongoing drug discovery activities. This role will focus on maintaining human and mouse cell cultures, supporting assay development and optimization, and executing assays in support of translational research programs. The position is supported by currently funded subawards to IBRI and is expected to contribute broadly to strengthening shared research capabilities across the Institute. While current funding supports the role for approximately three years, there is flexibility for this position to contribute to cross-disciplinary projects within the IBRI in collaboration with other therapeutic areas as program needs evolve.

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) Therapeutic Area at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to support the development, optimization, and execution of biochemical- and cell-based assays for drug discovery and translational research projects. This position will initially involve close collaboration with scientists within the NIH/NIA-funded IUSM-Purdue TREAT-AD Center, a nationally recognized translational initiative focused on enabling and validating novel therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The IBRI offers a highly collaborative research environment that bridges academic research and industry best practices, with close interaction among medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and translational biology teams. Located in central Indiana, the IBRI provides access to a robust AD research ecosystem and co-location with leading investigators and programs focused on CNS biology and therapeutic development. The Research Associate will play a key role in advancing target enablement efforts by developing, optimizing, and executing robust in vitro assays to characterize the molecular pharmacology against CNS targets in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining a detailed and accurate laboratory notebook of experimental methods, SOPs, notes, and results.
• Perform laboratory experiments and may be responsible for multiple research projects.
• Conduct experiments with human and animal cell culture, including:
  • Maintenances of different cell culture lines with aseptic techniques
  • Assist in the development, optimization, and validation of biochemical and cell-based assays
  • Perform other assays on-demand such as histology assays such as IF, FACS, qPCR, western.
• Prepare reagents, buffers, media, compound plates, and assay-ready plates
• Monitor and order laboratory supplies
• Perform basic data analysis and quality control checks
• Assist with data organization, reporting, and transfer to investigators
• Review literature, publications and grants relevant to assigned projects.
• Present results at lab meetings and with external collaborators
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety and institutional policies

Qualifications:

• BS or MA/MS Biology, Molecular biology, Bioengineering, or a related field is required.
• Hands-on laboratory experience (academic, industry, or core facility) required
• Familiarity with basic molecular biology, biochemistry, or cell culture techniques
• Strong attention to detail, good organizational skills, and communication skills are required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) is required.
• Must be open to learning new techniques

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with assay development and/or high-throughput screening
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems and plate-based assays
• Familiarity with fluorescence, luminescence, or absorbance-based readouts
• Experience with assays involving IPSC derived cell types
• Experience with data analysis software (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism, or HTS analysis tools)

Compensation:

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered commensurate with experience.

About Us:

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is a first-in-class translational medicine institute dedicated to advancing life sciences in the race to eliminate disease and improve human health and life.

By connecting early-stage biotech companies with cutting-edge life science discoveries —and backed by the mission and resources of industry leaders, investors, and philanthropic partners—IBRI is successfully evolving a new, independent model to conquer disease, uniting previously fragmented forces in the quest for cures.

Carefully curating and supporting early-stage companies with investment, talent, and space, IBRI strategically accelerates drug discovery. Our work benefits from the relatively low cost of living and doing business here, allowing more resources to be directed toward science.

Fueled by the same entrepreneurial creativity as the groundbreaking scientific work we support, IBRI’s labs advance research across the frontiers of diabetes, metabolic disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and rare pediatric diseases. Our ambitious public–private vision cultivates talent while efficiently bridging the gap between research-driven inquiry and profit-driven drug development.

At IBRI, cures are launched on a clear pathway to clinical trials, enabled by the combined resources and experience of our academic and industry partners, without the typical pressure to deliver rapid results for commercialization. IBRI labs pursue breakthroughs that might never happen elsewhere. Breakthroughs are happening here. Our novel financing model ensures that when discoveries are ready for clinical trials, the intellectual property is sold back to industry or spun off, creating a direct stream of revenue.

By every measure, the IBRI model demonstrates a novel approach that delivers rewards. Scientific bench work is nurtured, drug discovery is advanced, workforce development is continuous, investors see returns, and donors see impact. Most importantly, IBRI’s structure and portfolio of accomplishments matter to the patients whose lives are improved—or even saved—by this forward-looking approach to life sciences.

IBRI is driven to bring next-generation therapies to market with an understanding of the complex pressures that often bind innovation to economics. After more than a decade, the evidence is clear: IBRI is poised to transform life sciences—and for millions of people, even life itself.

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.