Research Technician II - 172708
The Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI), an international leader in the fight against major infectious diseases, is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Research Technician II. Investigators at the DHVI conduct basic and translational research to develop novel vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for diseases that impact global health such as COVID, influenza, Zika, HIV and malaria.
The Duke Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) is a division of the DHVI and supports a wide portfolio of research programs that require increased levels of biosecurity and biosafety. The RBL has three collaborative core units, Immunology, Virology, and Microbiology, and an Animal Models support team. The Research Technician II will work in the RBL Animal Models team to perform pre-clinical animal studies to develop the next generation of drugs and vaccines to combat infectious disease of global concern. The position reports to the Duke RBL Research Animal Coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform all tasks associated with in vivo small animal models of treatment/challenge such as dosing, collecting samples and precise harvesting and processing of tissues/biospecimens, in multiple species including, but not limited to, ferrets, hamsters, mice and rabbits.
- Prepare samples for and perform immunological and virological assays including, but not limited to, pathogen load assessment (PCR, Plaque, Colony assays), antibody and biomarker profiling (Luminex/ELISA) and gene expression (PCR, RNA seq.)
- General laboratory maintenance including but not limited to: laboratory organization, preparation of solutions, waste processing, ordering/preparation/stocking of consumables and reagents, routine equipment calibration, maintenance of accurate sample and equipment inventories.
- Coordinate equipment maintenance performed by outside vendors.
- Attend all required trainings and team meetings.
- Confer with Research Animal Coordinator / Program Manager for Animal Models / Principal Investigator to review work assignments and develop plans for studies; make minor modifications to existing procedures and techniques to meet the needs of particular studies as required.
- Manage and complete all assigned tasks/projects in accordance with standardized operating procedures and in full compliance with all safety protocols.
- Complete and maintain written and electronic documentation of research activities in real time according to standardized record keeping procedures.
- Collect and organize raw data into reports for interpretation and analysis.
- Perform additional duties as requested by Research Animal Coordinator and RBL/DHVI leadership.
Required Qualifications at this Level
- Education/Training: Work generally requires a bachelor's degree in biology or other directly related scientific field.
- Experience: None required beyond above education/training requirement.
Additional Requirements and Preferences:
- Two years of laboratory animal husbandry/handling experience preferred.
- The successful applicant must be eligible for and willing to:
- Work with animal models of experimental vaccination and viral challenge handled at ABSL2 and ABSL3.
- Complete external certification for independent work at Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL3) and animal BSL3 (ABSL3).
- Work with infectious biological agents (viruses) handled at BSL2 and BSL3.
- Comply with vaccination requirements.
- Complete Tier 1 Select Agent registration.
- Certification with the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the ALAT level or higher preferred or gain ALAT certification within 1 yr.
- Weekend and evening work may be needed occasionally.
- Able to lift 25 lbs. and reach above head and