LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

Duke University, United States

Updated: 27 days ago
Location: Durham, NORTH CAROLINA

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.

Job Summary

Conducts a variety of investigations in the planning, development, and implementation of experimental procedures within the overall scope of a research project at Duke University.

Special Conditions of Employment

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed.  Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

  • TB testing and clearance;

  • Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

  • Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

  • Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);

  • Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

  • Periodic physical examinations (including respiratory fit tests);

  • Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

Work Performed

  • Maintains pluripotency at all stages in mouse embryonic stem cell culture (mESC). Skills include decision-making for passaging and expansion based on cell density and phenotype, meticulous attention to appropriate media formulation for specific cell lines, and attentive handling at vulnerable cryopreservation steps.

  • Manages mouse colonies to support the production of mouse embryos to create transgenic mice by microinjection of DNA or RNA or by microinjection of mESCs, as well as direct embryo editing by electroporation using CRISPR reagents. Prepares and appropriately maintains hormone stocks for superovulation, and performs timed dosing by IP injection, breeding, and prompt fertilization plug checks. Identifies vaginal signs of estrus and mates appropriate numbers of females to vasectomized males to create pseudopregnant recipients. Performs Caesarean delivery of pups. Performs animal identification and tissue biopsy for genotyping. Completes required documentation and paperwork for animal transfer to investigators. Submits orders for animal procurement.

  • Harvests mouse embryos from embryo donors and is proficient in all aspects of successful preimplantation mouse embryo culture.

  • Performs microinjections of mouse embryos to produce GEMMs. Performs surgical transfer of injected embryos to the oviducts or uteri of pseudopregnant recipients. Uses aseptic techniques and performs incision closures, anesthesia, pain management during surgery, and daily patient checks and documentation for 10 days post-surgery.

  • Performs gene targeting of mESCs by electroporation of DNA, selection of drug-resistant clones, individual picking of clones after selection, preparation of cell lysate, and PCR analysis of positive clones. Performs expansion of appropriate clones and cryopreservation. Performs extraction of genomic DNA from ES clones for verification and confirmation.

  • Maintains 5 Thermo Scientific CryoBiological storage dewars with a capacity of 12,348 individual samples. Performs precise record keeping to locate & and retrieve samples, and monitors LN2 levels weekly.

  • Performs general laboratory upkeep and orders supplies using Buy@Duke. Trained in the use of autoclave, O2, and CO2 gas cylinders. Trained in safe liquid N2 handling. Remains compliant with record keeping and documentation. Efficiently handles customer service requests.

  • Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.


    •  
    Minimum Qualifications
    Education
    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. Two years of experience in developing genetically

    modified mice is preferred. A related master's OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION

    AND/OR EXPERIENCE 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.

    Skills

    • Experience in cell culture and sterile technique

    • Mouse colony management

    • Rodent surgery, especially embryo transfer to oviducts

    • Preimplantation mouse embryo harvest and culture

    • Electroporation of DNA and PCR analysis

    • Microinjection and electroporation of mouse embryos

    Job Code: 00001888 LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I
    Job Level: 11

    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 essential job 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.


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