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.

Be You.

Join the Frontlines of Aquatic Biomedical Research at Duke University!  Are you passionate about aquatic life and cutting-edge science?

Duke University is seeking a dedicated and skilled fish husbandry and aquaculture system Research Technician II to play a vital role in supporting groundbreaking biomedical research. As part of our Aquatics Core team, you’ll help maintain and operate advanced aquaculture systems across six state-of-the-art facilities housing over 14,000 tanks.

Work Arrangement – On-Site

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) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and keys kills; internal peer equity; as w ell 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/

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education - Work generally requires a bachelor' s degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.

Experience - None required above education/training requirement.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT ED UCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Be Bold.

Special Conditions of Employment

Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines;
• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun, and Tue-Sat shifts;
• Must be able to work on rotating on-call duties after hours and on weekends.

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed.

Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required before working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;
• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);
• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Periodic physical examinations including respiratory fit tests);
• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

Work Performed

Specific responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

• Provide daily fish feedings and general husbandry requirements to research colonies; perform daily fish health checks. Use an understanding of basic water quality to record daily water parameters and review for abnormal readings.
• Clean, maintain, and organize tanks and other aquaculture components/equipment. Change aquaculture system filters.
• Handle basic needs of the facility during weekends. Assist facility management in resolving any problems in facility operation.
• Assist facility researchers when needed. Assist with supervising and training student workers or new technicians.
• Transfer embryos from incubators and provide care to nursery racks.
• Assist with the breeding, husbandry, and maintenance of zebrafish colony.
• Communicate regularly with research staff to determine colony management needs.
• Support facility sanitation protocols.
• Care for Artemia cultures.
• Participate in team meetings, department-wide meetings, and training sessions.
• Contribute ideas on facility improvements regarding equipment, procedures, and techniques.
• Comply with DLAR and Duke policies and standard operating procedures.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Professional Conduct and Behavior

Demonstrate professional conduct and behavior at all times when performing job duties and rendering services to the scientific community, especially as they relate to customer service, attendance and punctuality, respectful demeanor and interactions, professional language and communications, appropriate effort and initiative, accountability and integrity, boundary maintenance and confidentiality, emotional self-regulation and responsiveness to feedback.

• Maintain professional standards and adhere to all federal, state, and university regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in research while performing job duties.
• Foster teamwork and collegiality between the various groups of DLAR and the scientific community.

Choose Duke.

This is your opportunity to contribute to meaningful research while working hands-on with complex fish husbandry operations in a dynamic, collaborative environment. 

If this sounds like the opportunity you've been waiting for, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our dedicated team.

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.