LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

This Position is Grant Funded

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.

LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

Moody Discovery Laboratory – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

OVERVIEW: 

The Moody Discovery Laboratory focuses on understanding the B cell responses during HIV, influenza, and syphilis infection, providing pre-clinical and translational support for downstream human clinical studies that fall within DHVI’s mission of performing research against infectious diseases that impact global health. The lab is a resource for both nonhuman and human cellular phenotyping, flow characterization, staining and analysis at DHVI.  Further, the Moody Discovery Laboratory performs a variety of assays to support the DHVI mission; including ELISA and ELLA based assays, RNA/DNA extraction for sequencing, and production of influenza and syphilis proteins.  The Research Analyst will report directly to the Senior Research Laboratory Manager. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Perform immune assays such as ELISA, ELLA and binding antibody multiplex assay (BAMA): 
   1. Develop new methods and protocols, optimize reagents test various conditions and determine feasibility of assays using novel antigens.   
   2. Maintain laboratory notebook and assist with data analysis. 
   3. Draft and implement SOPs.  Review and understand current technologies and field research available in literature to refine SOPs and procedure.  Conduct periodic review and revision of SOPs to ensure they are up-to-date. 
2. Produce antibodies/proteins in bacteria and mammalian cells.   
   1. Design plasmids based on various scientific needs.
   2. Troubleshoot issues arising from plasmid production, protein / antibody expression and purification and identify resolutions; implement resolutions, training staff, updating SOPs, etc., as appropriate.
   3. Oversee secondary purification process of proteins and antibodies.  Troubleshoot and offer suggestions when purification by FPLC is required.  Perform purification procedure as needed/required to prevent bottlenecks in the process, which slow-down the delivery of reagents.
   4. Oversee quality control of proteins, to include producing certificates of testing (CoT) and certificates of analysis (CoA).
   5. Responsible for CoT and CoA recordkeeping, inventory, and audits. Work with contract vendors, as necessary, to perform relevant QC. 
   6. Report all issues to appropriate safety, laboratory, and leadership staff in a timely manner.  Follow up as needed to gain resolution. 
3. Assist in the day-to-day activities of the laboratory, including operational and technical aspects, reagent and material inventories, safety and training compliance, and staff activities. 
   1. Ensure all laboratory orders are appropriately applied to relevant fund codes, coordinating with Program Management as necessary.   
   2. Obtain quotes and prepare justifications for purchases, as needed.   
4. Perform other duties as assigned by the PI. 

Required Qualifications at this Level:

• Education/Training: 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 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. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Preferences:

• Proven organizational skills, communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Comfortable providing written and oral updates to multiple levels.
• Capable of building strong working relationships with internal and external teams. 

• Experience with pharmaceutical industry standards. 
• Experience with Smartsheet or other project management software.

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 essential job 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.