RESEARCH TECHNICIAN III

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.

 

 

Research Technician III – Dr. Ferreira’s Lab

 

Occupational Summary

 

Under the supervision of the principal investigator and other senior laboratory personnel, the Research Technician Ill will be expected to perform technical procedures to evaluate the effects of diseases on exercise capacity, striated muscle metabolism and contraction, glucose tolerance, exercise training and rehabilitation. The technical procedures will include cell culture, performing and testing pharmacological and genetic interventions, animal care, rodent surgery, tissue collection, histology, breeding, imaging, and data analysis. The Research Technician Ill will either have experience with these techniques or will be able to learn them quickly and effectively. The successful candidate is expected to have experience in animal research and breeding, maintain highly organized and updated animal and general laboratory records, meet the demands of a fast-paced environment, deliver results within agreed timelines, and to participate in the preparation of reports as needed to meet project demands.

 

**This position is term limited for 12 months with a renewable clause based on funding and performance**

 

Work Performed

 

Identify, calibrate, and operate equipment and materials for measuring gas exchange, exercise tolerance, and behavioral tests in rodents

 

Collect, section, and stain muscle, heart, and other tissues for histology and acquire images using microscopy.

 

Prepare media, chemicals, reagents and solutions for muscle contraction tests, biophysics assays, and mitochondrial respiration.

 

Maintain inventory of materials and supplies for general laboratory work including cell culture, animal tests and interventions, muscle function and mitochondrial respiration, and other related experiments; organize reagents and materials, maintain and coordinate repair and calibration of general laboratory equipment (e.g., pH meters, scales, vaporizers).

 

Perform general animal care (injections, blood draws, diet and water supply), transportation, and breeding to maintain and develop experimental colonies.

 

Establish and main documentation of procedures, protocols, and plans to ensure regulatory compliance with Duke’s (e.g., OESO, IACUC, IRB) and external regulatory agencies (e.g., NIH, DEA).

 

Review work and assist in training of entry-level lab personnel such as undergraduate students performing work-study within designated areas.

 

Analyze data, create graphs, and prepare figures for research reports, grants, and scientific publications

 

Maintain database for raw data and organize/prepare scientific data for analysis by the principal investigator.

 

Maintain detailed and up-to-date documentation of laboratory activities, experiments, and protocols in Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN, LabArchives).

 

Perform pre-designed rodent surgical procedures including pre-surgical preparations and post-operative care.

 

Assist with performing small and short-term basic experiments and completing individual parts of an overall large experiment/project

 

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

 

Work gener