LAB RESEARCH ANALYST II

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

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 Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology is seeking a detail-oriented scientist to fulfill a key role as Research Analyst II to perform development and standardization assays for influenza research.  The person in this role will also play a key role in performing assays to assess the antibody response to vaccination against influenza. The study results generated by the person in this role will inform human clinical and pre-clinical trials for vaccines. This person must be very organized, possess excellent communication skills, have a high level of technical precision, be interested in assay development and optimization, enjoy working in a fast-paced lab environment with multiple priorities, and be able to work well as part of a team. This is a fully in person position, no remote or hybrid option is available.

Requirements

• Work requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.
• Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's 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. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• Work requires four years of research experience. A related master's 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, or equivalent combination of relevant education and research experience.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science or related field.
• Strong background in laboratory techniques including experience with cell culture, cell based neutralization assays and infectious materials including infectious influenza virus is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Play a key role in the development and validation of new assays including but not limited to microneutralization, and hemagglutination inhibition assays, participating in collaborative discussions of next steps for follow up assays and in assay design.
• Perform various assays to develop new methods and protocols, optimize reagents, test experimental conditions, and determine feasibility of assays for influenza and emerging infectious diseases. Troubleshoot problematic assays when necessary and develop plans to test possible solutions.
• Perform complex and highly technical assays including but not limited to microneutralization, and hemagglutination inhibition assays in the laboratory to evaluate antibody dynamics in samples from clinical and preclinical vaccine trials.
• Conduct a variety of complex and independent investigations in the planning, development and implementation of original experimental procedures. Design complex high-throughput experiments to maximize efficiency and accuracy. Examine experimental results to determine next steps. Develop, optimize, and document work-flows for various complex lab processes both existing and new. Assist with data analysis to compile reports, presentations, and data summaries.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date laboratory notebook detailing experiments and analysis performed, as well as accurately report results to PI, lab and project manager. Analyze data for adherence to quality control pass/fail criteria.
• Collaborate with investigators within the lab related to study design and work with the team to analyze and discuss results. Interpret data results and prepare presentations or written reports, and assist with writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures and assist in Qualification and Validation Report preparation.
• Assist the laboratory and project managers by contributing to the overall effort to streamline the workload, improve the efficiency of the laboratory, and contribute to the daily laboratory effort to adhere to GCLP guidelines. 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.
• Supervise, train and instruct visiting scientists or lower level personnel in laboratory techniques and procedures. Supervise the work of lower level employees engaged in the collection and analysis of data.
• Review journals, abstracts and scientific literature to keep abreast of new developments and to obtain information regarding previous experiments to aid in the design and development of original procedures and techniques.

Benefits

• Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide arrayof family- friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees