LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

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.

The Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology is seeking a detail-oriented scientist to fulfill a key role as a Lab Research Analyst I. This individual will develop and perform assays to evaluate antibody responses to vaccination and/or infection for diseases of global importance, including assessment of clinical trials for candidate malaria, SARS-CoV-2, TB, and HIV-1 vaccines. The study results produced by the person in this role will guide pre-clinical and human clinical trials for vaccines and offer insights into potential mechanisms of protective immunity against pathogens. In addition to performing endpoint assays, the Lab Research Analyst I will assist with assay development, optimization and standardization of novel laboratory methods. It is pivotal that the applicant possesses strong organizational and communication skills, in addition to a solid foundation of technical knowledge and skillset. The Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology provides a collaborative work environment with an emphasis on teamwork and innovative discovery.

Job Functions Include

• Perform complex and highly technical binding assays in the laboratory to evaluate antibody dynamics in samples from clinical vaccine trials. Assay techniques may include Binding Antibody Multiplex Assay (BAMA), ELISA, MSD, and other established or newly developed assay techniques. Carefully and accurately document assay conditions, results, and quality control findings, and report them promptly to meet deadlines.
• Play a key role in developing, optimizing, and standardizing new assays, conditions and reagents by participating in discussions on subsequent steps and assay design. Develop new methods and protocols, optimize reagents, test various conditions, and determine feasibility of assays using novel antigens.
• Process human blood, mucosal secretion, and tissue specimens while adhering to BSL-2 safety practices.
• Assist with data analysis and writing of qualification and/or validation documentation.
• Assist the laboratory and project managers by contributing to the overall effort to streamline the workload, improve the efficiency of the team, and contribute to the daily laboratory effort while adhering to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) guidelines. Assist with writing and editing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
• 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.
• Maintain laboratory notebook in an orderly fashion for tracking experiments and results. Provide written updates of work each week.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
  
  

Education, Skills, & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science or related field
• Two years of relevant bench/wet lab 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.
• Experience performing binding antibody assays or multiplex immunoassays in the laboratory is highly preferred. Experience working in a GLP/GCP environment and/or in a Quality Control or Quality Assurance setting is also preferred.
• Must be detail-oriented and well organized with strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced interactive team environment.
• Must be able to manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to quickly learn new skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite is preferred
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Education

Work requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.

Experience

Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE 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.

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 essentialjob 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.