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.
The applicant will be part of the Surana lab, a physician-scientist run lab that studies how the microbiota-the trillions of bacteria that normally live within every person-protects against immune-mediated diseases. Projects focus on identifying and culturing bacteria with immunomodulatory properties as well as understanding the mechanism(s) by which these bacteria influence host physiology. Active projects combine microbiology, bacterial genetics, immunology, bioinformatics, and mouse models of disease to better understand host-bacteria interactions. The lab is part of a vigorous research community that interacts with the Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and Integrative Immunobiology. Regular events in these communities offer numerous opportunities to gain exposure to the breadth and depth of translational microbiology and immunology research. Title and salary will be commensurate with experience.
The research assistant will be responsible for:
•Performing a variety of routine molecular biology (e.g., isolation of nucleic acids, PCR, ELISAs) and microbiology techniques.
•Maintaining a mouse colony (e.g., routine husbandry, genotyping, maintaining inventory), administering compounds to mice (injections, oral gavage), performing dissections to isolate and characterize lymphocytes from various tissues, and conducting relevant animal models of disease (e.g., infections, autoimmune models).
•Working with germ-free and gnotobiotic mice.
•Assisting with planning specific research procedures across laboratory and animal facilities.
•Developing and troubleshooting new techniques and processing samples for appropriate downstream data analysis.
•Maintaining organized and up-to-date records of results and methodologies.
•Compiling and helping analyze data, preparing charts, graphs, and results of studies.
•Helping the lab run safely and efficiently, including ordering supplies, maintaining safety approvals, and managing equipment.
To qualify, you must have:
•Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, or a closely related field.
•Analytical skills to resolve complex problems requiring the use of scientific, mathematical, or technical principles and in-depth, experienced-based knowledge.
•Experience with the care and handling of mice, flow cytometry, and molecular biology techniques is preferred.
•Strong written and communication skills
•Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, communication and organizational skills.
•Flexibility, motivation, and ability to work independently.
•Willingness and ability to take on multiple projects simultaneously.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
See job description for education requirements.
Experience
See job description for requirements.
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