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.

Occupational Summary

Perform a variety of complex technical duties involved in conducting laboratory tests, experiments and determinations in support of Duke University research operations.

 

Work Performed

Duties will include wet lab work, general lab management and rodent colony management. The research technician will perform a variety of cell culture in vitro studies with cancer cell lines. Routine cell culture maintenance and molecular biology techniques such as protein western blot, gene expression qPCR are expected.  General lab duties will include ordering and stocking of lab supplies, maintaining laboratory equipment, databases of cell lines/specimens/animals/inventory and perform other related duties and special projects as requested. Rodent work will include maintenance of mouse colonies, assistance with genetically modified cancer cell line tumor growth and drug efficacy studies.  The technician is expected to help with tumor cell inoculation (subcutaneous and orthotropic via survival surgeries), dosing, tumor measurement (caliper or in vivo imaging) and general monitoring of animal wellbeing.

Perform a variety of complex technical duties involved in conducting physical, chemical, biological and other research laboratory tests, experiments and determinations to obtain data for research purposes; compile, analyze, document and draw tentative conclusions from experimental results. Confer with principal investigator to review work assignments and develop plans for research experiments; make minor modifications to existing laboratory procedures and techniques to meet the needs of the particular equipment as required. Review laboratory methods manual, scientific journals, abstracts and other literature for information applicable to research experiments.

Determine and set up instruments, material and apparatus and operate laboratory equipment required for specific tests.

Obtain, prepare, mount and stain tissue, blood and other substances for microscopic examination.

Prepare culture media, chemicals, reagents and solutions.

Maintain sufficient inventory of material, supplies and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain laboratory equipment.

Review work of lower level laboratory personnel within designated areas and assist in training new personnel.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Must be well organized with an attention to detail. Ability to handle rodents, aptitude for learning to carry out survival surgeries and conducting experiments with tumor cell lines is highly desired for application. Experience with molecular biology and in vitro cell culture techniques are preferred but not required for application with the expectation that the research technician be willing to get trained in these techniques.

 

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

 

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training:

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

 

Skills:

N/A

 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

 

 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

 

Education

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

 

Experience

 

None requiredabove 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.