LAB RESEARCH ANALYST 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 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

The Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology is seeking a detail-oriented scientist to fulfill a key role as Research Analyst II to perform development and standardization assays for influenza research.  The person in this role will also play a key role in performing assays to assess the antibody response to vaccination against influenza. The study results generated by the person in this role will inform human clinical and pre-clinical trials for vaccines. This person must be very organized, possess excellent communication skills, have a high level of technical precision, be interested in assay development and optimization, enjoy working in a fast-paced lab environment with multiple priorities, and be able to work well as part of a team. This is a fully in person position, no remote or hybrid option is available. Job functions include:

Minimum Requirements:

• Work requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.
• Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science or related field.
• Strong background in laboratory techniques including experience with cell culture, cell based neutralization assays and infectious materials including infectious influenza virus is a plus.
• Work requires four years of research experience. A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience, or equivalent combination of relevant education and research experience.
• Must be able to manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to quickly learn new skills.
• Must be detail-oriented and well organized with strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced interactive team environment.

Other Requirements:

This position is onsite. The work is performed on-site or at a designated assignment location.

Be Bold.

• Play a key role in the development and validation of new assays including but not limited to microneutralization, and hemagglutination inhibition assays, participating in collaborative discussions of next steps for follow up assays and in assay design. Perform various assays to develop new methods and protocols, optimize reagents, test experimental conditions, and determine feasibility of assays for influenza and emerging infectious diseases. Troubleshoot problematic assays when necessary and develop plans to test possible solutions.
• Perform complex and highly technical assays including but not limited to microneutralization, and hemagglutination inhibition assays in the laboratory to evaluate antibody dynamics in samples from clinical and preclinical vaccine trials.
• Conduct a variety of complex and independent investigations in the planning, development and implementation of original experimental procedures. Design complex high-throughput experiments to maximize efficiency and accuracy. Examine experimental results to determine next steps. Develop, optimize, and document work-flows for various complex lab processes both existing and new. Assist with data analysis to compile reports, presentations, and data summaries.
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date