RESEARCH SCIENTIST

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.

The Zhou lab focuses on the elucidation of the structure and dynamics of protein–protein and protein–ligand interactions and their functions in various cellular processes. Our current efforts are directed at enzymes and protein complexes involved in bacterial membrane biosynthesis, translesion DNA synthesis, co-transcriptional regulation, and host-pathogen interactions. Our investigations of these important cellular machineries have led to the development of novel antibiotics and cancer therapeutics, as well as the establishment of new biotechnology adventures.

The new research scientist is expected to be integrated with our research activities, including bacterial pathogenesis and bacterial envelope biogenesis, lipid A biosynthesis in Gram-negative bacteria, DNA repair pathways, and development of antibiotics and cancer therapeutics. The candidate is also expected to assist Dr. Zhou with lab management.

Minimum Requirements:

This position is for a Senior Research Scientist and requires a minimum of six years of postdoctoral experience in scientific research. Candidates must have a strong record of multiple publications and significant contributions to their field. The candidate will be expected to conduct independent research and assist Dr. Zhou with laboratory management.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A demonstrated track record of publications in lipid A enzymology and inhibition.
• Expertise in in vivo studies utilizing murine infection and tumor models.
• Proficiency in lipid biochemistry, purification, enzymology, bacterial genetics and genome engineering, and handling both bacterial and mammalian cell cultures.
• Experiences with whole genome sequencing analysis and various bioinformatic tools with a focus on bacterial genome studies.

Prior experience in an industrial setting is highly desirable. Strong communication skills are essential for our multidiscipline collaborative research interests.

The Research Scientist will contribute to 1) proposal writing and grant submission, 2) analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of results, 3) mentorship of trainees. 

Work Responsibilities:

Scientific Research

• In collaboration with team and PI, create analysis plans and perform analyses on a variety of research questions aimed at developing novel antibiotics targeting lipid A enzymes and cancer therapeutics targeting translesion DNA synthesis.
• Independently writes and edits significant sections of funding proposals and grants, reviews articles, synthesizes the literature, and develops manuscripts.
• Uses expertise to develop protocols or research proposals. Provides significant contribution on peer reviewed publications or conference presentations.
• Serves as an expert resource for various tools used for analysis and data management. Mentors others as appropriate to their role.
• Oversees implementation of data quality processes, data flow plans, and new technologies across research portfolio. Predicts areas of vulnerability in data flow across the research portfolio. Serves as an expert resource across research portfolio with regard to data capture, storage, management, quality, and preparation for analysis. Ensures that study teams are familiar with and using data flow plan resources at Duke.
• Seeks out, integrates, and applies new analytical and technical knowledge towards innovation and performance improvement, as relevant. Ensures continuous evaluation of technology solutions throughout the research portfolio.

Program Management and Project Development

• Provides significant intellectual contribution to the research program, including substantial leadership in developing the scientific content of research proposals and manuscripts. Establishes and maintains internal (Duke) and external communications to ensure successful research partnerships. Suggests hypotheses, research strategies, research partnerships, and research opportunities.
• Frequently represents research program or shared resource on behalf of the PI.
• Oversees, supervises, or mentors trainees

Leadership and Professionalism

• Keeps current with research updates and advances in the scientific area, considers the impact on the broad research portfolio, and oversees necessary implementation. Serves in a leadership capacity with internal and external groups (e.g., speaks at events, leads institutional initiatives or committees).
• Demonstrates resilience, leadership, and actively facilitates change for research program
• Uses advanced subject matter expertise in the research to solve complex problems or foster innovation across the broad research portfolio.
• Communicates effectively with others, regardless of reporting relationship, to accomplish shared work objectives. Establishes and assigns activities of other managers to accomplish goals of the broad research portfolio. Uses expertise in research design to develop protocols or research proposals.
• Serves as an expert resource to faculty, trainees, and staff for the development of protocols for complex investigator-initiated studies.

Choose Duke.

Join our award-winning team as identified by Forbes magazine as America’s Best Large Employer 2024 and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery. As an organization, we have exciting opportunities to be forward-thinking leaders in our field. We want talented individuals to join us, examine our current operations, and create innovative solutions that will revolutionize and enhance the way we approach our work.

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.

Diversity Statements:

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.

The Department of Biochemistry aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, equity, and inclusivity of others without biases or prejudice of any kind. Our collective success depends on a robust exchange of ideas - an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, we are committed to diversity in the staff and faculty we hire, the policies we create, and the decisions we make. In addition, 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.

NOTE TO EXTERNAL JOB APPLICANTS: We are pleased that you are exploring employment opportunities with Duke School of Medicine. If you need an accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process, please submit a Reasonable Accommodations Request form. Allow for up to 5 days for a response. More information is available at https://access.duke.edu/visitors-patients/. 

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