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.
LAB RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II – Anesthesiology

School of Medicine: 

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation’s top medical schools. Ranked tenth among its peers, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where traditional barriers are low, interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced, and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. 

Comprised of 2,400 faculty physicians and researchers, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Health System create Duke Health. Duke Health is a world-class health care network. Founded in 1998 to provide efficient, responsive care, the health system offers a full network of health services and encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Private Diagnostic Clinic, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations. 

Position Description: 

We are seeking a highly motivated individual for a Lab Research Technician II position, available immediately within the Center for Translational Pain Medicine, a translational research unit of the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University Medical Center. 

Our lab is conducting research investigating how interactions between sensory neurons and immune cells contribute to chronic pain, inflammation, and host immunity. We conduct research in these areas using preclinical models as well as human biofluids and tissues. We employ a variety of biochemical, molecular genetic, optogenetic, behavioral, immunohistochemical, imaging, and pharmacological approaches. 

It is anticipated that a highly motivated individual will contribute to several publications per year and will eventually be given the opportunity to explore their own research interests as well. Due to the translational nature of this research, this position will also offer unique networking opportunities with premier basic scientists as well as healthcare providers in anesthesiology, pain medicine, oncology, orthopedic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and other disciplines. Individuals will also be provided with the opportunity to travel to attend scientific conferences if desired, although this is optional. 

Principal Responsibilities: 

· Aid in the planning, development, and implementation of experimental procedures within the overall scope of the above research projects. 

· Learn to perform technical experimental protocols and collect data using laboratory instruments, equipment, reagents, and animal models. This includes regularly reviewing scientific literature to become aware of new developments and information regarding experimental protocols. 

· Be involved in the husbandry and maintenance of animal colonies, the dissection of animals, the collection and preparation of tissues and specimens for complex procedures, and histological, imaging, and tissue culture procedures. 

· Maintain consistent experimental records, interpret experimental results, generate frequent research reports, and assist in the preparation of manuscripts and publications. 

· Be willing to represent the lab professionally and travel to present research at national and international meetings (COVID-19-related travel restrictions may apply). 

· Confer with the lab director to discuss experiments, experimental results and their interpretations, and other aspects of laboratory maintenance. 

· Assist in the training of other laboratory members with experimental procedures, analyses, data reports, and manuscript preparation. 

· Participate in the general oversight of the lab, including basic lab maintenance, lab organization, and oversight of critical lab reagents and equipment. 

· Exercise independent thought informed by the scientific literature to contribute to the overall research direction of the laboratory. 

Education, Experience, and Qualifications: 

· This position generally requires a bachelor’s degree in biology or another related scientific / biomedical field. 

· This position requires at least one year of research experience. Rare exceptions may be made. Post-baccalaureate training in a related discipline may offset required research experience. 

· Strong communication skills (written and verbal) are required for this position. Proficiency with routine computer software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel) is expected. 

· Individuals must be able to work well within a collaborative research team (“be a team player”). 

· Individuals must be willing to work hard to learn a variety of laboratory techniques such as surgical and behavioral procedures with mice, cell culture techniques, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), immunohistochemistry, genotyping, western blotting, ELISA, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and other procedures. Individuals with expertise or competency in these areas are encouraged to clearly indicate this in their C.V. 

Compensation: 

This position will be paid hourly and compensated commensurate with previous experience and background. 

Other: 

Duke University 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.

 
 
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

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.