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 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Lab Research Technician II

The Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology is seeking a detail-oriented scientist to fulfill a key role as a Lab Research Technician II. This individual will perform clinical endpoint assays to assess the humoral immune response to vaccination, in particular HIV-1, TB and other pathogens of global interest. The study results generated by the person in this role will inform future human clinical trial designs. In addition to performing endpoint assays, the Lab Research Technician II role is responsible for assisting with assay development and standardization of novel laboratory methods. It is pivotal the applicant possesses strong organizational and communication skills in addition to a solid foundation of technical knowledge and skillset. The Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology provides a collaborative work environment with an emphasis on teamwork and discovery.  

Job functions include:

• Perform complex and highly technical assays in the laboratory to evaluate antibody dynamics in samples from clinical vaccine trials. Carefully and accurately document assay conditions, results, and quality control findings and report them promptly to meet deadlines.
• Process human blood, mucosal secretion, and tissue specimens while adhering to BSL-2 safety practices.
• Perform antibody binding assays such as binding antibody multiplex assay (BAMA), ELISA, MSD, and other assays in the lab.
• Play a key role in the development and standardization of new assays by participating in discussions of next steps for follow up assays and in assay design.
• Assist the laboratory and project managers by contributing to the overall effort to streamline the workload, improve the efficiency of the team, and contribute to the daily laboratory effort to adhere to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) guidelines. Assist with writing and editing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
• Maintain laboratory and associated equipment in a clean, well-ordered, and functional manner.  Keep supplies on hand with a well-planned inventory and ordering system.  
• Maintain laboratory notebook in an orderly fashion for tracking experiments and results. Provide written updates of work each week.
• Work together with the study manager, data management team, and laboratory staff to ensure quality control of data sets.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Experience/Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological science or related field

Strong background in laboratory techniques with technical precision, experience with cell culture and infectious samples is a plus.

Must be able to manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to quickly learn new skills

Must be detail-oriented and well organized with strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced interactive team environment.

Knowledge of basic mathematical, data collection and research principles normally acquired through education and training.

An interest in immunology, malaria, COVID-19, HIV, antibody-protein interactions and/or vaccine evaluation is highly desired.

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite 

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

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

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

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.