BTC - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation’s top medical schools. Ranked tenth among its peers, the school takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where traditional barriers are low, interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced, and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe.

Comprised of 2,400 faculty physicians and researchers, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Health System create Duke Health. Duke Health is a world-class health care network. Founded in 1998 to provide efficient, responsive care, the health system offers a full network of health services and encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Private Diagnostic Clinic, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Research Scholar – Duke BTC

Grant funded

Overview

The Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program (DBTC) has a singular, all-encompassing goal: to develop novel, safe, and effective immune-based therapies for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors. Our preclinical and clinical projects are spearheaded by an outstanding complement of graduate students, medical students, research scholars, postdoctoral fellows, and junior and senior scientists assembled under the umbrella of the DBTC.

Work Responsibilities

The Research Scholar position in the Duke Brain Tumor Center will be a key member of an active multidisciplinary clinical research program with research teams at the Brain Tumor Center, the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastases, and the Duke Center for Cancer Immunotherapy. There will be regular interactions will medical oncologists, neurooncologists and other principal investigators.

Clinical Research - The Research Scholar will be an integral part of the clinical research team to:

1) help design, develop and review clinical trial protocols, amendments, informed consent forms, study guides, case report forms, and any other clinical research related documents and study reports;

2) generate clear and appropriately driven study timelines and milestones;

3) ensure that study team members are regularly updated on the study progress, challenges and risks through-out the duration of the study;

4) contribute to grant applications and progress reports

5) contribute to supporting the clinical and translational research.

Non-clinical Research - The Research Scholar may also be required to train or supervise technicians, graduate, and medial students to conduct in vitro, in vivo or in silico studies necessary to develop clinical research. These studies may include:

1) in vitro culture of human and mouse cancer cells;

2) intracranial and subcutaneous injection/implantation of tumor cells into mice;

3) treatment of mice with immunotherapies related to cancer therapy;

4) collection of tissues from mice for follow up immune analyses;

5) planning and preparation for molecular and immunological studies; and

6) preparation of study results for presentation.

Immunotherapeutic approaches include dendritic cell vaccines, peptide vaccines, protein vaccines, biologics such as antibodies, bispecific antibodies, oncolytic viruses, recombinant chemokines/cytokines T cell based and other cellular therapies. These immunotherapeutic strategies are to be evaluated in immunocompetent and immunocompromised preclinical models.

The research associate will have access to all laboratory equipment and supplies necessary within the Duke Brain Tumor Center. As needed, the Research Associate may be asked to assist the team with other studies as well.

 While performing these responsibilities, you will be expected to conform to standards of responsible conduct in research, comply with good scholarly and research practice, maintain a laboratory notebook and/or other comparable records of research activity, which remains the property of Duke University upon termination, adhere to University standards regarding use of isotopes, chemicals, infectious agents, animals, human subjects, have open and timely discussion with faculty regarding all facets of research activities, and comply with all applicable University and departmental policies.

Required Skills

A strong scientific background in cancer biology, genomics, immunotherapy or related fields.

Excellent writing, communication and organizational skills.

Desirable Skills

Experience with tissue culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, blood product handling

Prior experience with animal (mouse) handling and studies.

Statistical and bioinformatics experience are also highly desirable especially experience with next generation sequencing.

Required Experience Min Degree Requirements:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.). Other Credential/Experiential Requirements: The appointee must have greater than 2 years of clinical and research 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 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.

Jd revised: 11-21-2022

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.