LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

This Position is Fully Grant Funded

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Lab Research Analyst I

Williams Lab – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

A HIV-1 Envelope (Env) vaccine that elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) has remained elusive, in part due to our limited understanding of the mechanisms of bnAb induction during natural infection. Recently, HIV Env trimer as a protein immunogen has been shown to elicit vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies as a correlate of protection from HIV acquisition in a macaque model. Dr. Williams was recently awarded a NIH UM1 grant to develop new vaccine strategies that can induce more protective immune responses in the non-human primate model by exploring innovative mRNA constructs for immunogen delivery that can elicit both protective and therapeutic B and T cell responses. This candidate will be enthusiastic and willing to undertake multiple molecular biology approaches to evaluate host immunity elicited by candidate HIV vaccines when administered prophylactically, and HIV vaccines when administered therapeutically in combination with novel immunotherapies. Here at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, we value collaborations, and pride ourselves in providing an excellent environment for academic and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Performs studies related to flow cytometry-based macaque single B cell isolation
  • B cell enrichment from macaque cells from blood and other tissues
  • Design and execute reagent QC assays, including antibody titrations for single cell staining experiments
  • Design and execute flow cytometry data analysis using Flowjo
  • Protocol development
• Performs antibody repertoire studies following flow-based isolation of HIV-1-reactive B cells
  • PCR isolation of antibody genes from single sorted HIV-1 reactive B cells
  • Antibody sequence analysis
• Proficient in cell culture work
  • Large scale antibody production and purification
  • Design and execute antigenicity QC for mRNA
• Understand and comply with all safety standards and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for all laboratory staff
• Archive experiments in a manner that is scientifically justifiable, reliable and understandable to others
• Keep lab equipment, chemicals reagents and supplies in excellent order
• Track work and compliantly order materials and reagents associated with numerous projects under multiple grants
• Learn new techniques from colleagues, develop new techniques for the lab, and teach them to others
• Review primary data with your supervisor
• Collaborate with other staff and perform other duties as requested by the Principal Investigator or senior lab staff
• Closely follow all standard operating procedures

Required Qualifications at this Level

• Education/Training: Work requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field
• Experience: Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two-year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience

Preferences :

• Masters in biological science or related field
• Must be able to manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities and have ability to quickly learn new skills
• Must be detail-oriented, well organized with strong communication skills and ability to work in an interactive team environment

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.