Research Associate Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five years of related experience.
• Must have previous experience managing projects.
• Experience must include a minimum of one-year in a lead/supervisory/managerial role.
• Work with hazardous biological agents handled at BSL-2 and BSL-3
• Work with small animals handled at ABSL-2 and ABSL-3
• Comply with vaccination requirements when necessary
• Successfully complete and maintain US Department of Justice screening for Select Agent registration
• Achieve external certification for independent work at BSL-3

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or PhD is preferred.
• Strong background in biosafety, previous BSL-3 compliance monitoring, supply chain and logistics management, and facilities management
• Master’s degree or PhD in Biology, Microbiology, Virology, or related scientific field preferred
• Biological safety credential (RBP, CBSP) preferred
• Proficient in technical writing and safety training development and delivery
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with researchers with diverse backgrounds and experiences

Responsibilities

• Maintain efficient day-to-day operations of the assigned laboratory facility, coordinate research activities of multiple laboratories, resource scheduling and billing
• Direct supervision of four DHVI Lab Assistants
• Compliance monitoring of annual training and health screening requirements for all facility users
• Periodic auditing of research staff to ensure SOP compliance
• Train and instruct research staff that will be utilizing the RBL facility (BSL-3/ABSL-3), including various Duke research laboratories needing to work within a BSL-3 facility for safety
• Direct day-to-day activities of staff, as well as the project management goals of the facility
• Utilize effective project and resource management needed for successful operation and service
• Control and maintain GHRB training and access request workflows in Smartsheet to coordinate security and biosafety activities. Perform periodic audit to ensure concordance with Duke Security Lenel system.
• Source and maintain an inventory of required safety supplies and laboratory equipment to ensure full compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and meet end user and Core Manager research needs
• Track inventory and locations of capital equipment located within the RBL. Reconcile inventory with Duke Procurement when requested
• Purchase and maintain list of equipment service contracts and coordinate with staff and vendor when service is needed
• Manage routine maintenance, monitoring and emergency response for RBL freezers
• Ensure required safety checks and waste removal is fully compliant with relevant SOPs.
• Coordinate laboratory and equipment decontamination and maintenance with relevant Duke offices/departments (e.g. Engineering and Operations).
• Participate in meetings of the Facility Operations and Core support teams. Participate in cost model development, use projections and budgeting for compliant cost recovery.
• Coordinate incoming/outgoing material transfers with the facility leadership, the Duke Biological Safety Officer/Responsible Official and the Duke Office of Export Controls to ensure full compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.
• Work to improve/optimize existing SOP Develop and implement new SOPs; Lead development, optimization, qualification and validation efforts for assays and procedures, as requested by the research sponsor / Facility Director / Core Manager.
• Prepare use reports, Institutional Biosafety Committee registrations, CDC compliance documents, and grant report inputs, as needed.
• Participate as a member of the Duke Select Agent Team, along with the RBL Director and the DHVI Director of Safety.
• Participate in training personnel who conduct Select Agent research to assure compliance with the Select Agent Final Rule, and with all written Select Agent Plans (Incident Response, Safety, and Security).
• Perform other duties as requested by the DHVI Director of Safety
• Provide administrative support to RBL Leadership
• Assist RBL Leadership and Team Leads in managing research projects, developing and administering budgets, schedules, and performance metrics
• Schedule and coordinate arrangements for seminars, conferences, meetings, and speaking engagements as needed.
• Assist with scheduling visitor access, maintaining visitor instruction guides, and managing parking passes
• Manage and consult on RBL budgets and assist with the development of new budget proposals for grants and other funding opportunities
• Collaborate with Duke RBL laboratories and with other RBL network laboratories
• Maintain office supplies and equipment
• Assist with onboarding of new employees
• Maintain GHRB Email Listservs
• Place orders in Buy@Duke to support RBL Operations. Review shopping carts to ensure compliance with Buy@Duke and Duke Procurement policies. Serve as onsite resource for RBL staff on instruction and guidance for proper use of Buy@Duke
• Prepare travel and expense reports for reimbursement for RBL Leadership
• Screen and route mail and documents. Assist RBL staff with outgoing commercial shipments as needed. Notify RBL staff of package deliveries
• Attend program and operations meetings to take minutes and monitor action items
• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of budgets based on program activities and departmental operations.
• Perform other related duties as needed by RBL Leadership.
• Conduct routine inspections of all DHVI assigned space and verify occupancy; work closely with DHVI Facilities Director and DHVI Chief Administrative Officer to identify space assignment changes
• Work closely with DHVI Finance to ensure all WebCentral updates are completed by the required deadlines (5 times per year); track all assigned DHVI space; update WebCentral immediately when staff exit the DHVI
• Serve as a member of the call-tree for all water detection alarms for DHVI laboratories and support spaces during both normal business hours and after-hours
• Monitor and manage the DHVI back-up freezer pool in Minus80 software portal and coordinate routine PM for each unit with proper vendor, responding to alarms as needed
• Support freezer alarm set-up process for all DHVI labs, and serve as back-up responder to alarms during both normal business hours and after-hours
• Work closely with DHVI laboratory teams and the DHVI Facility Director to coordinate laboratory and equipment moves as needed
• Develop and maintain DHVI emergency contact list in SmartSheet or other reliable software

Benefits

• health insurance plans
• generous paid time off
• retirement programs with employer contributions
• tuition assistance for employees and their children
• medical and dental care programs
• generous retirement benefits
• a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs