RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, SENIOR

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 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Research Associate, Senior (Williams)

OVERVIEW

Here at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI), we value collaborations, and pride ourselves in providing an excellent environment for academic and professional growth. This position will lead and execute major projects within the DHVI Viral Genetics Core under the leadership of Dr. Wilton Williams with a focus on understanding Primate and Non Human Primate (NHP) immune system genomes. The results from these studies will identify host and genetic factors that govern vaccine development, including roadblocks towards an effective HIV-1 vaccine that may be circumvented with novel strategies. The applicant will have experience in analyzing genomes and transcriptomes generated using sequencing platforms such as Illumina, 10X Genomics and/or PACBIO. Defining primate and NHP immunity at baseline and following viral infection or vaccinations is an area of HIV research that is understudied. Thus, the ability to design to design experiments to address this area of research is desired.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Independently lead and execute major and complex scientific projects within the Williams  laboratory,  serve as the point person for assigned  projects and coordinate collaborative science among investigators within DHVI and externally to effectively meet the scientific milestones and project deadlines. 
• Design experiments to address primate and NHP immunity using next generation deep-sequencing platforms
• Analyze genomes and transcriptomes generated by next generation deep-sequencing platforms
• Computational analysis of large immunoglobulin gene sequence data sets
• Design and execute experiments; analyze and interpret data; archive experiments in a manner that is scientifically justifiable, reliable and understandable to others; and provide guidance and oversight to junior scientists.
• Develop and optimize new assays for the laboratory

• Train laboratory staff and DHVI trainees

• Accurately document detailed research experiments in  a laboratory notebook
• Perform other related duties as necessary and requested

EDUCATION, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• A Ph.D or equivalent doctorate in biological science, chemistry, or related field is required.
• Biological science laboratory experiences with knowledge of the immune system genome, including sequencing genomes and transcriptomes of immune cells.
• A basic level of understanding the analysis of deep-sequencing data is desired in order to facilitate an effective collaboration with our computational biology team at the DHVI.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must be team oriented and able to work effectively in a highly collaborative work environment
• Must be able to manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to learn and apply  new skills and concepts
• Must be detail-oriented and well-organized

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.