School of Medicine

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Research Associate, Senior in the DeBaun Lab Occupational Summary

This is a one-year appointment and renewable dependent on the viability of grant-funding and job performance pursuant to the term limits set by the Duke Postdoctoral Office.

Duke Academic Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon, Malcolm DeBaun, MD, is making a difference in the lives of those who have experienced orthopaedic trauma.  Dr. DeBaun seeks an enthusiastic individual to assist him in the research that supports his innovations in the field. The experienced Research Associate, Sr. will partner with Dr. DeBaun to plan, organize, and conduct cutting-edge translational research designed to improve bone healing and mitigate infection in traumatically injured patients.

Through in vivo and in vitro investigation, the research partner will perform various complex and independent activities to make meaningful contributions to scientific discovery and innovation. This exciting position will foster opportunities for professional growth and personal enrichment as a lead role within a team of students, researchers, and clinicians. There will be opportunities to collaborate with various publicly funded investigators throughout the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and industry partners.

Work Performed Design, execute, and document in vitro and in vivo experiments focused on understanding and improving bone healing with an emphasis on clinical relevance Perform Survivorship Surgeries: Demonstrate consistent proficiency in performing survivorship surgeries on small animal models, ensuring optimal surgical outcomes and adherence to standardized protocols. Conduct Preoperative and Postoperative Care: Oversee preoperative and postoperative care for animal models, enhancing recovery, maintaining welfare, and supporting the success of experimental outcomes. Establish and maintain protocols consistent with best practices for basic and translational research Collect, evaluate, and interpret data and prepare oral presentations or written reports detailing progress, adverse trends, and appropriate conclusions. Confer with the principal investigator to take a lead role in preparing manuscripts and proposals related to the lab's scope. Supervise the work of team members engaged in experiments and data collection related to the research investigation Independently Manage Laboratory Operations: Oversee daily laboratory functions, ensuring equipment functionality, maintaining cleanliness, coordinating with vendors, and managing resources to create an efficient research environment. Regulate Compliance: Ensure that all laboratory activities adhere to institutional, governmental, and ethical standards, including animal welfare, safety, and data integrity. Conduct regular audits and compliance checks to uphold high standards. Develop and Refine Research Protocols: Design and optimize research protocols tailored to project goals, ensuring they meet scientific, ethical, and regulatory requirements. Regularly update protocols to incorporate advancements and best practices. Maintain and Enforce Laboratory Standards: Establish and uphold strict standards for cleanliness, safety, and procedural accuracy. Enforce adherence among lab personnel through regular training and supervision, promoting a culture of excellence. Data Collection and Analysis: Collect, document, and analyze experimental and surgical data accurately, ensuring data integrity and reliability to support impactful research outcomes. Manuscript and Proposal Preparation: Contribute to manuscript and research proposal development, participating in writing, data analysis, and conceptualization for publication or funding applications. Mentor Junior Personnel: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior lab personnel and trainees, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages skill development and research competency. Inventory and Resource Management: Manage laboratory supplies and inventory, coordinating with suppliers to maintain stock levels and addressing supply chain issues promptly. Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work effectively with interdisciplinary research teams, including statisticians, bioinformaticians, and clinical experts, to share insights and drive collaborative research efforts. Attend routine lab meetings and events in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration, and collegiality. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

 

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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.

 

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