Research Associate, Senior

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Associate will work closely with Dr. Christopher Nicchitta (PI) to advance the laboratories NIH funded scientific research goals. While overall scientific direction is led by the PI, this role carries significant responsibility for the independent development of research projects and research directions. The position requires creative thinking, technical proficiency, data management, statistical analysis, and a leadership role in manuscript preparation.

Our laboratory investigates how cells control the location and timing of protein synthesis, with a focus on mRNA localization—the process by which mRNAs are targeted to specific sites within the cell to direct protein production. This spatial and temporal regulation is essential for cell signaling, division, and overall cellular dynamics.

We study mRNA localization to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where this process occurs on an unusually large scale. While the ER has long been recognized as the translation site for mRNAs encoding secretory and membrane proteins, our research has revealed that the ER functions far more broadly, supporting translation across the transcriptome. In particular, we have shown that newly exported mRNAs are preferentially translated on the ER, a process we hypothesize is coupled to RNA quality-control mechanisms during the pioneer rounds of translation.

Our recent work has also uncovered links between ER-directed mRNA localization and the pathways governing stress granule (SG) biogenesis. We are currently investigating how transcriptional status influences mRNA recruitment into SGs, the mechanisms that determine which mRNAs are selected, and the role of ER-associated sites in organizing SG assembly.

To address these questions, we combine biochemistry, cell biology, advanced imaging, genomics, and computational biology. Current research themes include:

Cis-encoded signals and targeting mechanisms – defining mRNA sequence elements and cellular factors that direct ER localization. Beyond the canonical SRP pathway, our CRISPR/Cas studies have revealed additional, pathway-independent routes that recruit even cytosolic and nucleoplasmic mRNAs to the ER.
RNA-binding proteins and stress responses – investigating how RNA-binding proteins mediate mRNA localization to the ER and regulate selective mRNA recruitment into SGs. Approaches include optical imaging, nucleoside analog pulse-labeling, cell fractionation, proteomics, ribosome footprinting, and RNA-seq methods (including 4SU-RNAseq).

Through these studies, our goal is to uncover fundamental principles of RNA regulation, quality control, and cellular organization.

Requirements

• Have a PhD in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology with a minimum of 5 years postdoctoral experience
• Demonstrate advanced expertise in wet lab experimental systems, tissue cell culture, molecular biology, cell biology, and RNA biology.
• Have a strong track record of leading manuscripts and contributing to grant development
• Are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively to move projects forward
• Are highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to rigorous, reproducible science

Nice To Haves

• A strong track record in RNA biology, stress granule biology, and/or related fields
• Ability to operate independently and develop new research directions
• Strong proficiency in the analysis of biochemical and cell biological datasets
• Experience mentoring trainees or junior analysts

Responsibilities

• Develop a research program into molecular mechanisms of mRNA recruitment into stress granules, with a focus on identifying the molecular components and regulation of this process.
• Examine interactions between pathways for mRNA localization and mRNA recruitment into stress granules.
• Lead and execute wet lab experiments investigating mechanisms of mRNA localization and recruitment to different subcellular locales, with a focus on newly exported mRNAs.
• Develop and implement experimental protocols, rigorous data analysis, and establish rigor and reproducibility.
• Advance data to publication-ready figures.
• Contribute substantively to advancing the primary research focus of the lab, as well as developing independent lines of research.
• Independently draft and revise manuscripts.
• Provide mentorship and oversight to graduate and post-doctoral trainees in experimental design, troubleshooting, figure preparation, and manuscript writing.
• Assist in the operational management of the laboratory.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree