RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II

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.

The Global Health Vaccine Accelerator Platform Antibody Dynamics team at the Duke University Center for Human Systems Immunology is seeking a detail-oriented scientist to fulfill a key role as Research Technician II to support assessment of antibody biophysical measurements in an immune monitoring core lab. The assays performed by the Research Technician II include bio-layer interferometry and surface plasmon resonance methods to assess the binding and kinetic measurements of antibodies induced by vaccination in human clinical and pre-clinical vaccine trials for HIV, malaria, and other high priority global diseases.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments to measure biomolecular interactions (i.e. binding kinetics and affinity) utilizing Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and/or Bio-layer interferometry (BLI).
• Manage, track, and analyze data sets related to the evaluation of antibody responses to vaccines for human studies.
• Work together with the program manager, statistical team and laboratory staff ensure quality control of datasets.
• Work with the Quality Assurance Unit to maintain and perform work according to Good Clinical Laboratory Practices
• Collaborate with team members to develop custom tools for high throughput analysis of complex data sets.
• Perform other related laboratory duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry or Biophysics or related Biological Science field.
• Master’s degree in a related Biological Science field is a plus. 

Experience 

• Prior biochemistry or biophysics or biological laboratory experience.
• Experience in working on R studio or Mathematica is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a team environment.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of basic mathematical, data collection and research principles normally acquired through education and training.
• An interest in immunology, malaria, antibody-protein biophysical interactions and/or vaccine evaluation is highly desired.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work generally requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.

Experience

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

Job Code: 00000951 RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II
Job Level: 08

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