RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II

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.

Lab Background:

We are a high-energy, highly passionate translational neuroscience lab focused on understanding the role of synaptic plasticity in neurologic disease and how this can be directly modulated for disease modification (Harward et al., Nature 2016; Hedrick et al., Nature 2016; Krishnamurthy et al., Ann Neurol 2019). We are particularly interested in developing focused ultrasound as a new method for non-invasively modulating brain activity. Briefly, Focused Ultrasound has recently emerged as a ground-breaking new non-invasive, image-guided therapy to treat Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). While it is used clinically to make small lesions in the brain circuitry responsible for both ET and PD, additional work has shown that when applied at lower intensity and frequency, it can be used to transiently and focally (with sub-millimeter precision) open the blood brain barrier, induce local immune responses, and activate excitatory neurons, inhibitory interneurons, astrocytes, and even microglia. Building on this work, we seek to harness the power of this new tool to optimize its therapeutic use for a wide variety of conditions including epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disease, movement disorders, chronic pain, and brain tumors. To accomplish these goals, we employ a wide range of experimental approaches including viral infections, mouse genetics, in vitro and in vivo preparations, electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetics, and focused ultrasound. 

Job Description:

Fully funded research technician positions are immediately available. in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Duke University School of Medicine. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the research team, conducting independent experiments investigating focused ultrasound-based neuromodulation, presenting at weekly lab meetings and research conferences, and working with collaborators at Duke and beyond. 

Requirements:

Applicants should have at least a B.A. or B.S. degree, preferably in a biomedical science or related field. A highly motivated, independent candidate with a passion for translational neuroscience is preferred. Experience in neurobiology, electrophysiology, and in vivo mouse work is highly desirable but not required. 

Responsibilities will include: 

· Conduct biochemical assays including Elisa, PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Obtain, prepare, mount, and stain tissue for microscopic examination. 

· Prepare and maintain heterologous cell cultures (HEK and HeLa cells); prepare and maintain primary cultures of rat and mouse cortical neurons and glia; prepare and maintain organotypic hippocampal slice cultures of rat and mouse brains. 

· Manage the lab’s animal colonies in collaboration with DLAR and perform appropriate animal husbandry for rats and mice. 

· Perform stereotaxic surgery on mice for viral infection, electrical stimulation, focused ultrasound, and electrophysiological recordings. 

· Prepare culture media, chemicals, reagents, and solutions. 

· Assist the PI in maintaining lab animal, chemical, and safety protocols. 

· Maintain sufficient inventory of lab materials, supplies, and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain laboratory equipment; ensure all lab equipment, instruments, materials, and apparatuses are functional and meet safety guidelines 

· Place and track orders at the request of fellow lab members. 

· Keep up to date records of all lab work completed including experimental design, animal handling, and data analysis. 

· Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $18.69 to USD $28.28. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position; the candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/.

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 onthe 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.