RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II - Military Veterans

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 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

The Waitkus Laboratory in the Duke Brain Tumor Center is seeking an experienced and motivated individual to join our neuro-oncology research program as a Research Technician II. This candidate will work with a highly collaborative team of researchers and clinicians to study the molecular biology of brain tumors with an emphasis on the identification, characterization, and therapeutic targeting of driver mutations involved in brain tumor growth.  

 

The ideal candidate will have at least 2+ years of research experience in a life science laboratory, including experience with animal models of disease and basic molecular biology and cell culture techniques. Experience with immunofluorescent staining of cells and tissues and confocal microscopy would be a plus. Successful candidates will have a proven track record of technical excellence within a collaborative team-based research environment and will possess outstanding communication, organizational, and collaborative skills.  

 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Perform molecular assays including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and qPCR.  

• Perform protein assays and western blotting. 

• Perform immunofluorescence and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays on cell lines and tissues. 

• Perform cell culture on human and mouse cell lines. 

• Perform or assist with work related to experiments on mouse models, including injections, surgery, monitoring behavior, and collection and preparation of tissues for histological analyses, RNA/DNA/protein isolation. 

• Operate laboratory equipment required for specific tests. 

• Prepare culture media, chemicals, reagents and solutions. 

• Document and compile data in electronic lab notebook from experimental results, utilizing an electronic lab notebook (ELN) and MS Office software. 

• Execute work independently after design input from supervisor or principal investigator.  

• Review laboratory methods, scientific journals, abstracts and other literature for information applicable to the implementation and design of research experiments. 

• Perform other related duties as required by supervisor 

 

Education, Skills & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, or related field. A background in cancer biology, fluorescent microscopy, and/or mouse work a plus. 

• Must adhere to strict safety requirements. 

• Must be detail-oriented, well organized and perform work under Good Lab Practices. 

• Should be comfortable working in teams and possess clear communication skills. 

• Position could have weekend hours when working on mouse experiments and experiments with strict timelines. 

 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

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

 

Experience

 

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