Research Technician: Wet Lab & Data Work — On-Site in Durham

NCBioImpact; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

VitaKey in Durham, NC is seeking a Research Technician to support lab maintenance and research activities at the intersection of wet lab science and machine learning. You will help maintain mammalian and microbial cultures, prepare stock solutions, manage documentation, and support screening experiments in a fast-paced startup environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on biology, data annotation, and collaboration with scientists to advance company research at VitaKey's Durham HQ.

Qualifications

• AS or BS in biology-related field (0–1 years experience preferred).
• Hands-on biology lab coursework with mammalian and microbial culture exposure is preferred.
• Candidates with limited non-coursework research exposure are encouraged to apply.
• Familiarity with lab notebooks and electronic documentation is preferred.
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and have a documentation-first mindset.
• Must be motivated to learn and develop practical skills in laboratory science.
• Candidates must work full-time on-site in Durham, NC.
• Ability to adjust rapidly to changing scientific priorities and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain several mammalian and microbial cultures, including thawing, passaging, plating, freezing, and aliquoting stocks on schedule.
• Perform routine QC assays on mammalian and microbiological cell culture samples.
• Manage inventories of reagents and consumables across all projects including organization, restocking, and ordering.
• Prepare stock solutions and buffers to support research work.
• Manage and upkeep LIMS systems, including data annotation where necessary.
• Prepare stock solutions of compounds, nutrients, foods, ingredients, etc. for screening experiments.
• Aid formulation development activities.
• Occasionally perform other duties to assist other teams as needed.
• Work with fellow scientists within the group or with external laboratories and present ideas and results.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Microbial culture

Lab maintenance

Data annotation

LIMS familiarity

Record-keeping

Detail-oriented

Self-motivated

On-site Durham

Education

AS or BS in biology/biochemistry/chemistry

Tools

LIMS

Job description

VitaKey in Durham, NC is seeking a Research Technician to support lab maintenance and research activities at the intersection of wet lab science and machine learning. You will help maintain mammalian and microbial cultures, prepare stock solutions, manage documentation, and support screening experiments in a fast-paced startup environment.

The role emphasizes hands-on biology, data annotation, and collaboration with scientists to advance company research at VitaKey's Durham HQ.