RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established academic medical center is seeking a Research Technician II to support impactful research at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute. In this role, you will implement technical activities in specialized laboratories, ensuring adherence to Good Clinical Laboratory Practices. You will conduct critical tasks such as processing cells, performing immunologic assays, and maintaining laboratory operations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in a collaborative environment, where your skills will directly impact the advancement of human health. Join a diverse team dedicated to innovation and excellence in scientific discovery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field required.
• Detail-oriented with strong communication skills and teamwork ability.

Responsibilities

• Isolate cells and conduct phenotypic evaluations using flow cytometry.
• Maintain laboratory safety and quality checks according to GCLP.
• Assist in laboratory inventory management and equipment maintenance.

Skills

Flow Cytometry

Cell Culture

PCR Techniques

Data Analysis

Inventory Management

Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP)

Technical Writing

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology

Tools

Qiagen Platform

Laboratory Instruments

Job description

This Position is Grant Funded

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.

Research Technician II

Duke Human Vaccine Institute

Occupational Summary:
Implement technical activities of a scientific or research group in relation to the operation of specialized laboratories. Acts as an advisor to subordinates to meet schedules and/or resolve technical problems. Develops assay budgets, schedules, and performance requirements. Frequently interacts with other labs and coordinates the program activities with responsibility for results in terms of costs, methods, and employees. Serve as an advisor to faculty and lab managers to meet schedules and or resolve technical problems. Insure Standard Operating Procedures, GCLP and protocols are maintained and applied.

Work Performed:

• Process and isolate mononuclear cells from human and nonhuman primate blood and other tissues and conduct subsequent steps involved in the phenotypic evaluation of cells by flow cytometry, including cellular staining techniques and data acquisition, analysis, and maintenance.
• Perform ordering responsibilities for the laboratory, including taking inventory, restocking, submitting orders, managing samples, and coordinating with other lab members regarding their specific assay needs.
• Perform cell culture, virus, and reagent preparation for immunologic and virologic assays, specially SIV and SARS-Cov-2 using the Qiagen platform.
• Perform Cryo preservation of cells and cryogenic cells evaluations.
• Perform repository tasks such as inventory, temperature monitoring, etc.
• Prepare and process specimens for virological procedures, Virus Culture, Real Time PCR, ELISA, Western Blot, and devise experimental techniques for testing and analysis as directed by laboratory manager.
• Maintain quality checks on safety of laboratories, including biohazards and ensure maintenance of the facilities according to Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP).
• Responsible for monitoring and maintaining laboratory climate control for operational efficiency.
• Assist to maintain and order sufficient inventory of materials currently used in the laboratory, supplies and equipment for performance of relative assays including plastics ware, media and specified instrument reagents and instrument QC samples.
• Assist to set up lab equipment used in laboratory related assays and perform daily maintenance, troubleshooting, record keeping, etc. as instructed.
• Perform proficiency testing (e.g., CAP, IQA, UKNEQAS, etc.).
• Setting up and participate in all aspects of the EQA send outs, including labeling tubes, preparing shipping boxes, shipping labels, aliquoting samples, testing samples, data summary for flow samples, etc.
• Perform data summaries, procedural summaries; log keeping, assist in writing up standard operating procedures, GCLP related policies, methodology, standards, recommendations and QA & QC.
• Perform other laboratory or data management duties, including laboratory maintenance tasks, as requested by the Principal Investigator or senior lab staff.
• Collect information and data through observation, experimentation and various other methods, to include operating highly technical laboratory instruments and equipment.

Education, Skills, & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field.
• Laboratory experience is helpful.
• Must be detail-oriented, well organized, and approach procedures with critical thinking of the technical aspects with strong communication skills and ability to work in an interactive team environment as well as independently.

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 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.