Lab Research Analyst I

About the role

The Department of Surgery at Duke University is seeking a Lab Research Analyst I to support preclinical research by conducting animal studies, laboratory assays, specimen processing, and laboratory operations.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain competency in handling and procedural skills for small animal models of traumatic injury (rodent and swine).
• Maintain required training, certification, and employee occupational health and safety requirements to allow animal handling and procedures.
• Interface with animal husbandry, veterinary, and other Department of Laboratory Animal Research (DLAR) staff to schedule and coordinate both care and experimentation with animals.
• Assist with onboarding and training for other lab members working with animals and associated skills and assays.
• Review and update laboratory protocols for fixing, freezing, and storing plasma and tissue specimens from animal experiments.
• Perform assays with good record-keeping practices including data storage and archival in a shared digital laboratory notebook on plasma and tissue specimens:
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA); optimize and perform both kits and assays de novo depending on the availability of commercial kits for target antigens (i.e., to single coagulation Factor proteins).
• ELONA (Enzyme-linked Oligonucleotide Assay); perform with commercially available oligonucleotides using laboratory protocol.
• Clot-based hemostatic assays; STAGO Start4 hemostasis analyzer provides consumer-oriented directions for partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and single coagulation Factor-deficient assays.
• Microscopy; utilize immunostaining to localize coagulation enzymes in freshly fixed and frozen tissues from animal experiments at core microscopy facilities at Duke University.
• Assist with onboarding and training of other lab members who will utilize these assays and associated skills.
• Participate in bimonthly lab meetings (Fridays) by providing updates and feedback on the lab’s ongoing projects.
• Participate in the lab’s usual rotation schedule for cleaning and resupplying equipment, reagents, and glassware (typically one week of responsibility every other month).
• Assure digital laboratory notebook is up to date and compliant with laboratory standards.
• Assist with data organization and preliminary analysis, including preparation of data sets and experimental summaries for investigators in laboratory meetings.
• Monitor laboratory inventory and assist with ordering, organization, and management of laboratory supplies and reagents to ensure uninterrupted experimental operations.
• Perform other related laboratory duties incidental to the work described above.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience with small animal handling (rodents and preferably swine).
• Knowledge of tissue processing, protein analysis, and laboratory assays (ELISA, ELONA, coagulation assays, microscopy).
• Strong documentation, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a research environment and train others.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety, animal research compliance, and inventory management.

Benefits

Duke offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance plans, generous paid time off, retirement programs with employer contributions, tuition assistance for employees and their children, and more. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/.

Pay

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.

Schedule

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