Research Scientist, Senior

About the role

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. Be You. The Duke University Department of Medicine is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to join Dr. David Tuveson’s research team. You will lead work in patient-derived organoids and precision oncology in collaboration with Department of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute investigators. Choose Duke. Join a research team connecting laboratory studies with translational cancer research. You will collaborate with scientists and clinicians in the Department of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute and help guide experimental platforms and develop junior researchers.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, and maintenance of patient-derived organoid cultures and related translational platforms.
• Design and execute complex experimental studies, including drug-response assays and precision-oncology workflows.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership for organoid-based research cores and collaborative translational projects.
• Oversee laboratory quality standards, protocol development, and troubleshooting of advanced experimental systems.
• Mentor junior scientists, postdocs, and trainees in organoid methodology and translational research techniques.
• Partner with DCI and DOM investigators to integrate organoid models into clinical and research pipelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.).
• 10+ years of postdoctoral experience conducting scientific research.
• Multiple publications and notable significant contributions to scientific research.
• Work is performed onsite in the research laboratory.
• Follow applicable laboratory safety, research integrity, and institutional requirements; maintain accurate research records.

Qualifications

• Experience in patient-derived organoid culture and tumor modeling.
• Experience in drug-response assays and precision-oncology workflows.
• Experience in technical leadership, protocol development, and mentoring.