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.

Position Description:

We are recruiting a Research Associate Senior. We are looking for an individual who has experience in preclinical research in the fields of pain/somatosensory biology, neuroimmunology, and/or immuno-oncology. Learn more about our research group here: https://anesthesiology.duke.edu/research/donnelly-lab

Principal Responsibilities:

• The candidate will work under the guidance of the Principal Investigator (PI) in the development and implementation of research protocols and assist in daily project management. 

• The candidate should possess the ability to design, conduct, and troubleshoot experiments independently. 

• The candidate will have a significant role in the overall scope and execution of their scientific project, including data analysis/interpretation and project planning. 

• The candidate will aid in organizing team meetings and tracking project timelines/milestones is expected. Attendance at lab meetings, project meetings, relevant collaborative meetings, and Center/Departmental research seminars/events is also expected. 

• Candidates should possess some of the following technical skills/knowledge: familiarity with molecular genetic techniques involving transgenic and genetically modified mice and their genotyping/characterization; surgical and non-surgical methods to establish mouse models of pain, inflammation, and/or cancer; behavioral assessments of sensory, motor, and cognitive function; targeted drug delivery and pharmacologic manipulations; and procurement of tissues for downstream cell culture, histology, RNA-sequencing, and other biochemical/molecular experiments. The candidate will be asked to acquire new technical skills required for project completion.

• The candidate should also be able to conduct experiments using human-derived biofluids and tissues and complete relevant animal, biosafety, and/or IRB training as requested by the PI. 

• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Powerpoint is expected. Proficiency using additional software such as Graphpad/Prism, ImageJ, Imaris, R, and other relevant software is not required but is advantageous.  

• The candidate will be expected to have verbal and written communication skills which are suitable to achieve their project responsibilities. Prior experience with scientific writing, including both grant and manuscript writing, is highly preferred. 

• Although this position primarily involves wet-lab (bench) work, candidates may be asked to contribute to administrative/oversight responsibilities such as: preparation of regulatory documents (e.g., IACUC protocols, IBC documents, IRB documents), lab-specific SOPs, and grant/manuscript writing; oversight, management, and maintenance of mouse colonies; training of other laboratory personnel; and tasks related to general laboratory maintenance and organization.

Education/Training Requirements:

Min Degree Requirements:  Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.).
Other Credential/Experiential Requirements:  The appointee must have greater than 5 years of postdoctoral training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in the fields of neuroscience, immunology, or cancer biology. 

• Candidates who possess experience with the following experimental techniques are ideal for this position: surgical manipulations in mice; behavioral phenotyping in mice; histological methods and light microscopy; molecular biology experience (e.g., PCR, western blotting, ELISA); cell culture techniques; flow cytometry and FACS of mouse and human samples; and knowledge of statistical and/or bioinformatic data analysis tools.

• Strong written communication skills and experience with IACUC, IBC, and IRB documentation is ideal.

• Strong organizational skills and multitasking proficiency.

• Experience supervising and training junior lab staff. 

All candidates should submit their current CV, including a list of three references from previous employers familiar with the candidate in a research setting.

School of Medicine: 

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation’s top medical schools. Ranked tenth among its peers, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where traditional barriers are low, interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced, and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe.

Comprised of 2,400 faculty physicians and researchers, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Health System create Duke Health. Duke Health is a world-class health care network. Founded in 1998 to provide efficient, responsive care, the health system offers a full network of health services and encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Private Diagnostic Clinic, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Other: 

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. 

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. 

Essential Physical Job Functions: 

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

See job description for education requirements.

Experience

See job description for requirements.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.