Lab Research Analyst I

Be You.

The Department of Surgery is seeking a Lab Research Analyst I to be part of the Lyerly Lab. In this position, the incumbent will generate molecular and cellular reagents for the laboratory’s cancer immunotherapy program: constructing and validating expression vectors encoding ESR1-mutant, HER2 wild-type and HER2 p95 sequences, with and without fluorescent protein fusions; engineering and characterizing a panel of antigen-expressing tumor cell lines; and applying those reagents in cell motility and immune function assays and as model systems supporting therapeutic cancer vaccine development.

Minimum Requirements:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral or master’s level training in cancer biology, molecular biology, immunology or a related field.
• Direct experience with ER/HER2 breast cancer model systems, oncogenic isoform biology or tumor antigen expression systems.
• Experience generating fluorescent protein reporter lines and applying them to motility or immune killing assays.
• Familiarity with preclinical study documentation supporting regulatory submissions.

Other Requirements:

• This position is onsite.

Be Bold.

Position Description:

Molecular cloning and reagent generation

• Design, construct and validate mammalian expression and lentiviral vectors encoding ESR1-mutant cDNA and HER2 wild-type and p95 isoform cDNA, in untagged form and as fluorescent protein fusions.
• Perform primer design, PCR, restriction and seamless (Gibson/In-Fusion) cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, plasmid preparation and sequence verification of all constructs.
• Maintain an organized, documented repository of plasmids, sequences, maps and glycerol stocks, and prepare reagent aliquots for use by other laboratory members and collaborators.

Cell line engineering and model systems

• Introduce validated constructs into a panel of breast and other tumor cell lines by transfection and lentiviral transduction; select, expand and clonally isolate stable antigen-expressing lines.
• Characterize resulting lines for transgene expression, localization and stability by flow cytometry, immunoblot, qRT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy.
• Maintain primary and working cell banks, including cryopreservation, mycoplasma testing, cell line authentication and associated records, so that lines are suitable for use as model systems in downstream studies.

Cell motility assays

• Perform and optimize cell motility and invasion assays, including scratch/wound-healing, transwell migration and invasion, and matrix-based assays, using the engineered lines.
• Conduct live-cell, time-lapse and confocal fluorescence imaging on the laboratory’s imaging systems; perform image processing, tracking and quantitative analysis of motility parameters.

Immune function assays

• Prepare antigen-expressing target cells and supporting reagents for immune function assays, including antigen-specific T cell co-culture, proliferation and cytotoxicity assays.
• Perform immunologic readouts including multiparameter flow cytometry, ELISpot, ELISA and intracellular cytokine staining; isolate and handle human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as required.
• Operate and maintain highly technical instrumentation, including flow cytometers, imaging systems, plate readers and associated analysis software.

Support of vaccine development studies

• Supply validated constructs, antigen-expressing cell lines and assay reagents in support of therapeutic cancer vaccine construct design and preclinical immunogenicity studies.
• Assist with in vitro and in vivo study readouts, including tissue and specimen preparation for complex downstream procedures and analyses.

Data analysis, documentation and reporting

• Collect data through observation and experimentation; evaluate and interpret results and prepare reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Maintain contemporaneous electronic laboratory notebook records, written procedures and quality control documentation of a standard suitable to support regulatory submissions, including IND-enabling preclinical data.
• Confer with the principal investigator in determining specific experiments to be included in the research protocol and in the interpretation of results; prepare figures and present findings at laboratory and program meetings.
• Review journals, abstracts and scientific literature to keep abreast of new developments and to obtain information regarding previous experiments, to aid in the design and development of original procedures and techniques.

Laboratory operations and training

• Supervise, train and instruct residents, interns, students or lower level personnel in laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Order and manage reagents and supplies, maintain equipment and records, and comply with all institutional biosafety, chemical safety and occupational health requirements, including approved IBC and biosafety protocols.

Choose Duke.

Join our award-winning team and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery. Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines. Beyond the engaging work, you'll also benefit from Duke's competitive benefits package, including health insurance plans, generous paid time off, retirement programs with employer contributions, tuition assistance for employees and their children, and more.

Screening of Applications: Screening continues until the position is filled.