Postdoctoral Associate

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 270803

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: MEDICAL CENTER

Date: Jun 3, 2026

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.

Be You.

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative postdoctoral researcher to lead innovative projects in gene therapy and viral vector development with a specific focus on the brain. The successful candidate will focus on designing and characterizing novel platform driven therapeutics.

Be Bold.

Design & Engineering: Engineer novel platforms for persistent expression, using in vitro and in vivo strategies.

Mechanism Study: Investigate viral vector biology and mechanisms within cells and tissues in animal models.

Experimental Execution: Perform molecular biology experiments including, but not limited to: RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, RNA-seq data analysis, molecular cloning, and reporter assays.

Translation Focus: Evaluate platforms in advanced cell culture models and/or mouse models to drive clinical translation with focus on neurological disease.

Communication: Publish research in high-impact journals and present findings at scientific conferences.

Qualifications:

PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, or a life sciences related field.

Strong background in CNS biology (e.g., disease models and assay development).

Proven expertise in molecular cloning, plasmid design, and RNA analysis techniques.

Highly motivated to drive independent research in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team setting.

Choose Duke.

Duke Surgery is #1 in NIH Grant Funding. We are an internationally recognized leader in laboratory and clinical investigation. Duke Surgery’s faculty and trainees are consistently among the top- funded researchers nationwide. This position is 100% grant funded. 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. Join our award-winning team and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery.

Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military 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.