BSL3 Training Mentor

This Position is Grant Funded

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.

 

BSL3 Training Mentor

Regional Biocontainment Laboratory – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

 

ENVIRONMENT:

The Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) is a multi-disciplinary research organization in the School of Medicine focused on basic, translational and clinical research to develop novel vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for infectious diseases that impact global health. 

 

A shared resource within the DHVI is the Duke Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL).  The RBL is a biosafety level-3 (BSL3) facility that provides safe and secure high-containment laboratory space to support infectious disease research. The DHVI is recruiting a BSL3 Training Mentor to provide on-site safety training and mentoring of workers assigned to the RBL for research in high-containment.  While the primary responsibility of the position will be to provide training for BSL3 workers, the individual will also be trained in, and expected to provide, scientific assay support to the core service units within the RBL.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Training Duties

• Develop and deliver biosafety training programs to workers assigned to BSL3, with an emphasis on hands-on learning activities; includes orientation training and routine refreshers
• Serve as a mentor for workers assigned to BSL3
• Evaluate and improve safety training programs
• Serve as a training instructor for the Duke Infectious Disease Response Training (DIDRT) program
• Participate as a member of the Duke Select Agent Team and assist in the delivery of training of personnel who conduct Select Agent research to assure compliance with the Select Agent Final Rule, and with all written Select Agent Plans (Incident Response, Safety, and Security). Participate in Select Agent drills and tabletop exercises.
• Work to improve/optimize existing safety SOPs

 

Scientific Duties

• Propagate bacteria and virus at BSL2 and BSL3
• Train and become proficient at in vitro end-point assays (Luminex, ELISA, Microneutralization, Plaque) as needed
• Maintain electronic documentation of research activities in real time according to standardized recordkeeping procedures
• Manage and complete all assigned research tasks/projects in accordance with standardized operating procedures and in full compliance with all safety protocols.
• Perform other duties as requested by direct supervisor (DHVI Safety Manager

 

The successful applicant must be eligible for and willing to:

• Work with hazardous biological agents handled at BSL2 and BSL3
• Work with small animals handled at ABSL2 and ABSL3
• Comply with vaccination requirements when necessary
• Complete US Department of Justice screening for Select Agent registration
• Complete Select Agent registration at Tier 1
• Achieve external certification for independent work at BSL3

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT THIS LEVEL:

• Education/Training: Work requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.
• Experience: 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.

 

PREFERENCES:

• Strong background in biosafety while working in a research environment
• Proficient in technical writing and safety training
• Previous laboratory experience in at least one of the following fields: bacteriology, virology, immunology, and/or molecular biology
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working with researchers with diverse backgrounds and experiences