RESEARCH TECHNICIAN I

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.

Grant/sponsor funded [50% or more external]

Occupational Summary

Conduct various investigations in planning, developing, and implementing experimental procedures within the overall scope of a research project at Duke University.

Work Performed

Conduct various investigations in the planning, developing, and implementing of experimental procedures and specialized laboratory techniques in the analyses of in vitro and in vivo models of human diseases. 

Collect information and data through observation, experimentation, and other methods, including operating highly technical laboratory instruments and equipment.

Maintain mice colonies, and prepare mice for in vivo surgeries. Perform in vivo experiments like metabolic cage analysis, glucose measurements, etc. Harvest and prepare tissue and specimens and analyze samples using general lab techniques including (but not limited to) Western Blot, PCR, Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, etc.

Evaluate and interpret collected data and prepare analyses of experimental results to draw appropriate conclusions about the experimental findings.

Confer with the principal investigator in determining specific experiments to be included in the research protocol and discuss the interpretation of results.

Review journals, abstracts, and scientific literature to keep abreast of new developments and obtain information regarding published experimental results to aid in developing original procedures and techniques.

Assist the principal investigator with preparing manuscripts, for example, describing experimental findings and conclusions for publication in peer-reviewed journals. 

Supervise, train, and instruct students or lower-level personnel in laboratory techniques and procedures.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Work requires a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, biochemistry, or other related scientific fields.

Experience: Work requires two years (Tech I) or four years (Tech II) of research experience. A related master's or doctoral 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.

This job description intends to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Skills: Handling lab samples, performing immunohistochemistry, western blot, and ELISA. Previous experience in the research field of kidney and cardiovascular diseases is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires an Associate's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other science related scientific field.

Experience

None required above education/training requirement OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

The mission of the Division Nephrology in the Department of Medicine is to combine the delivery of outstanding clinical care with cutting-edge research and innovative teaching. To this end, the programs in the division are structured to address the most pressing needs facing patients with kidney diseases. See https://medicine.duke.edu/divisions/nephrology/about-duke-nephrology for more information.

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.