RESEARCH TECHNICIAN I

Duke University, United States

Updated: 10 months ago
Location: Durham, NORTH CAROLINA
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Description:

We are hiring a Research Technician I to join our Ecological and Environmental Toxicology & Health Research Collaborative, in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, NC. This position offers opportunity to build laboratory management, mentorship, and independent research skills in a dynamic research environment.

The core interests of the lab are to examine acute and chronic effects of exposure to environmental pollutants to using zebrafish as a mechanistic model and field-caught populations of Atlantic Killifish as an ecologically relevant species. Specifically, we explore

  • how chronic exposure to drinking water contaminants may cause cumulative kidney damage.
  • The use of zebrafish-based screening tools to assess mitochondrial, renal, and developmental toxicity of aquatic contaminants.
  • kidney mitochondria as a target for environmental toxicants.
  • mechanisms of adaptation to chronic PAH contamination using Atlantic Killifish
  • how microbiome mediates toxicity of environmental pollutants

We are looking for a highly engaging and curious individual to work on one or more of our research projects as well as support the management of our lab and fish colony. Willingness to learn methods and work collaboratively are more important than existing knowledge or experience with facility and laboratory methods.

The major expectations of the technician in this position are listed here and detailed below:

  • Master fish care, manage and train students for routine fish care and maintenance
  • Learn and hone core laboratory techniques and toxicology research methods
  • Work closely with graduate and post-doc mentors on primary research project
  • Collaborate as part of our lab team during lab meetings and large projects

Position Tasks:

The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability to perform, or be willing to learn, and eventually manage the following tasks in a laboratory aquaculture facility for zebrafish and Atlantic killifish:

  • Fish care and maintenance duties including: fish feedings, fish health checks, breeding and maintenance of wild-type and transgenic zebrafish lines
  • Facility maintenance duties including: water quality checks, aquarium system maintenance, and record keeping
  • Supervise and train student helpers on above required duties
  • Explain and enforce animal care guidelines to maintain compliance with IACUC protocols
  • Contribute ideas on facility improvements regarding organization, equipment, procedures, and techniques

    • The successful candidate will have also the demonstrated ability to perform, or be willing to learn, the following tasks in a research laboratory:

  • Techniques in biological research lab including: zebrafish handling, fluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology
  • Prepare chemical solutions and maintain lab reagent inventories
  • Document procedures and collect data in an organized, complete, and accurate fashion
  • Assist faculty, postdocs, students, and staff in the development and execution of new research procedures and techniques
  • Participate in weekly group meetings and periodically present research findings and method development to lab group
  • Be a good lab citizen: respectful of all lab members, use lab resources responsibly, maintain a safe and clean lab space

    • Other duties may be required as necessary. Training will be provided as needed. Occasional weekend and holiday work is required and work schedule is flexible.

    In complement, the lab mentors commit to:

  • Demonstrate respect without regard to gender, sex, race, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation
  • Be supportive, equitable, accessible, and encouraging throughout time in the lab
  • Meet one-on-one on a regular basis; review the progress on projects and provide timely feedback and goal-setting advice
  • Provide resources and training for the experimental methods required for the project
  • Discuss authorship policies regarding papers; acknowledge scientific contributions to work in the lab

    • Preferred Education/Training:

    Bachelor'sdegree in biology,zoology, toxicol ogy, biochemistry, ecology or relatedscientific field. Alternative combi nations of education and experience will beconsidered; e.g. High School diploma and 6 years of experience working withvertebrate animal species.

    Preferred Experience:

    Experiencewith zebrafish or aquarium fish handling is preferred but not required.Experience in a basic or applied sci ence research setting preferred. This couldinclude academic, industry, o r non-profit.


    Education

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

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

  • Demonstrate respect without regard to gender, sex, race, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation
  • Be supportive, equitable, accessible, and encouragi ng throughout time in the lab
  • Meet one-on-one on a regular basis; review the progress on projects and provide time ly feedback and goal-setting advice
  • Provide resour ces and training for the experimental methods required for the proje ct
  • Discuss authorship policies regarding papers; acknowledge scientific contributions to work in the lab

    • 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.


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