Research Technician II

Duke University:

 

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

 

Occupational Summary:

                                    The Duke Lemur Center is a non-invasive primate reserch and education facility located on 80 acres of Duke Forest. The Research Technician position is 40/hr/week, Monday through Friday, responsible for facilitating non-invasive research at the Duke Lemur Center (DLC) consistent with the needs of the researcher and the animal care policies of the DLC. A background in animal care and/or research design is strongly preferred. Research department duties will include, but are not limited to: data entry, administrative support, biological sample banking, assisting in live animal research, and a wide variety of tasks that contribute to maintain compliance with USDA, AAALAC and Duke University's  IACUC guidelines

T     TTT     Work Performed

• Assist with all approved research involving animal interaction or manipulation (running trials, restraint, transport, shifting, etc.)
• Perform routine tasks to provide assistance to researchers or research projects.  This may include weighing animals, obtaining specimens (feces, urine, hair, scents, etc.), and observing behavioral patterns
• Interact directly with researchers, including training and orientation of new researchers
• Assist with data entry and maintaining various research databases
• Participate in necropsies to bank blood, tissues, and cadavers for research use
• Process tissue and cadaver requests, including preparation of the shipment and email correspondence with the researcher to finalize specimen selection
• Assist in maintaining organization of the tissue and cadaver freezers
• Assist in routine duties such as supply inventory
• Ensure that all equipment/supplies used by researchers are properly cleaned, stored, and maintained
• Assist in maintaining research and lab spaces according to Duke OESO and IACUC standards
• Assist in coordinating research activities with the routine demands of colony management
• Report observed signs of illness and/or behavioral problems to appropriate DLC staff
• Assume research coordination duties associated with Lead Research Technician position on an as-needed basis
• Participate in regular Research Department meetings
• Ensure proper use of animals consistent with the policies of the DLC and each investigator’s IACUC protocol

 

 

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Previous experience with captive animal care, especially primates, or experience with research methods/design
• Work well in a diverse team environment as well as independently
• Ability to think critically and communicate constructively
• Ability to be flexible in a dynamic work environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Willingness to be on-call after hours and work occasional weekend and holiday hours
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs, walk several miles through uneven terrain, and stand for long periods of time

 

 

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 EDUCATION AND/OREXPERIENCE

 

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 membe