LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

This Position is 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 

Saunders Lab – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) continues to lead cutting edge vaccine research against infectious diseases that impact global health. Basic science discoveries made using a variety of human and pathogen-derived proteins designed, expressed, and purified by the highly collaborative DHVI have contributed to the identification of vaccine and therapeutic candidates currently being produced in Good Manufacturing Practice facilities for early phase clinical trials. 

The Saunders laboratory aims to understand the immunology of HIV-1 antibodies and the molecular biology of their interaction with HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein. Our overall goal is to develop protective antibody-based vaccines; therefore, the laboratory has two sections – immunogen design and antibody repertoire analysis. Proteins derived from HIV envelope are designed and expressed as candidate vaccine immunogens for preclinical trials. Additionally, the proteins are used to probe B cells in humans, humanized mice, and rhesus macaques in an effort to identify antibody responses stimulated by these immunogens. Lastly, we use in vitro assays to functionally characterize the identified antibodies. Thus, our overall efforts are aimed at designing an effective HIV-1 vaccine to halt the AIDS pandemic.  

We are seeking a motivated and hardworking Laboratory Research Analyst I to support our vaccine development research. The primary responsibilities will include the expression and purification of candidate vaccine immunogen proteins. 

Responsibilities  

• Apply aseptic cell culture techniques to express candidate HIV vaccine immunogens in eukaryotic cells through transient transfection
• Perform the following experimental activities:
  • Expression of recombinant HIV-1 antibodies and envelope by transient transfection.
  • Perform sortase A conjugation of recombinant proteins 
  • Expression of recombinant host molecules
  • In vitro culture of cells 
  • Analysis of recombinant antibodies and HIV-1 envelopes using biochemical and immunological techniques, such as FPLC, SDS-PAGE, Western blots, ELISA, and biolayer interferometry 
  • Molecular biology assays such as PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, DNA preparation
  • Sanger sequencing of plasmid DNA
  • Biotinylation and fluorescent labeling of recombinant proteins
  • Flow cytometry analysis of fluorescent protein antigenicity
  • Staining of B cells with fluorescent proteins
• Perform routine lab maintenance, cleaning, organizing, ordering, and restocking supplies
  • Includes keeping lab equipment, chemicals, reagents, and supplies in excellent order, and managing protein inventories
• Understand and comply with all safety standards and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for all laboratory staff
• Closely follow all standard operating procedures
• Analyze experimental results independently
• Confer with the principal investigator/manager to review work assignments and develop plans for research experiments
• Track work and compliantly order materials and reagents associated with numerous projects under multiple grants
• Collaborate with other staff and perform other duties as requested by the Principal Investigator or senior lab staff
• Train junior scientists on important lab techniques  

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.OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferences

• Previous lab experience
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and within a team
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Detail-oriented and well organized 

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