RESEARCH TECHNICIAN I - Infectious Diseases - Military Veterans

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Job Summary

 

Dr. Thuy Le, MD, PhD, is looking for a curious, motivated junior researcher, with an interest in infectious diseases and molecular biology, to join her team as a research technician. The individual will be working on a project focused on dissecting the molecular mechanism for virulence of Talaromyces marneffei, a fungal pathogen endemic in Southeast Asia that is a leading cause of death in patients with advanced HIV disease.  The individual will engage in gene deletion experiments using homologous recombination through Agrobacterium medicated trans-kingdom conjugation, and will assess any correlations of gene deletion and functional consequences including hypermutation phenotype, fungal burden, tissue pathology, and survival in mice. This work will involve a combination of both guided and independent execution of standardized molecular and microbiology techniques, experiments, and the support of research-oriented activities at Duke University Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease. The researcher will have the opportunity to master multiple laboratory techniques, include ELISAs, real-time PCR assays, fungal culture, cloning, genetic transformation. In addition to the laboratory and animal experiments, the person will have weekly contact with Dr. Le and receive a high level of mentorship.

 

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Dr. Le with any further queries before and during the application process at thuy.le@duke.edu

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Able to conduct a variety of experimental investigations with minimum guidance – knowledge and experience in basic microbiology, molecular biology, immunology techniques are desirable. Prior experience in handling animal (mice) experiments are particularly desirable.

 

Willing to learn new procedures, including handling and manipulation of laboratory mice, tissue section, staining, qPCR, and immunoassays. Good Laboratory Practice is essential.

 

Keep excellent laboratory records of experiments performed. Meet with PI weekly to provide updates and discuss the interpretation of experimental results.

 

Assist the Laboratory Manager with managing laboratory functions, including - maintaining inventory of reagents and consumables.

 

Maintain laboratory – including care of equipment, arranging waste disposal, storage of lab supplies.

 

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

 

Good inter-personal skills and a team player in the laboratory environment.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

Education

Work requires an Associate's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other science related scientific field.

Experience

 

None required above education/training requirement OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

 

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