LAB RESEARCH ANALYST I

Duke University - Durham, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Durham, NC

1,001-5,000 employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Lab Research Analyst I position at Duke University School of Medicine is a vital role within a highly collaborative and innovative research environment. This position is fully grant-funded and is located in Durham, NC. The School of Medicine, established in 1930, is recognized as one of the top medical schools in the nation, emphasizing an inclusive community of learners, investigators, and clinicians. The successful candidate will engage in a variety of technical lab experiments, contributing significantly to the research goals of the lab. This role requires a strong foundation in scientific principles, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The primary responsibilities of the Lab Research Analyst I include completing highly technical lab experiments, which account for 50% of the effort. This involves performing experimental preparations, coordinating the collection of necessary reagents and supplies, and utilizing specialized equipment to execute complex experimental protocols such as STARR-seq assays. The analyst will serve as the point of contact for status updates, communicate protocol issues, and collaborate with other lab members to troubleshoot solutions. Presenting experimental results in group lab meetings is also a key aspect of this role. In addition to experimental work, the analyst will independently develop and optimize new protocols for future large-scale data generation efforts, which constitutes 25% of the effort. This includes developing schedules to meet data generation goals, coordinating small team efforts, and tracking progress to report to the lab Principal Investigator (PI) and research team. Lab management responsibilities, accounting for 15% of the effort, involve overseeing shipping and receiving, maintaining inventory, ordering key reagents, coordinating lab chores, and preparing lab stocks of common reagents. The analyst will also be expected to maintain knowledge of cutting-edge technologies and approaches, dedicating 10% of their effort to reviewing scientific literature and sharing updates with the research team.

Responsibilities

• Complete highly technical lab experiments including STARR-seq assays.
• Perform a variety of experimental preparations and coordinate the collection of necessary reagents and supplies.
• Serve as the point of contact for status updates in support of overall lab planning and research project goals.
• Communicate protocol issues and work with PI and research team to troubleshoot solutions.
• Present experimental results to the research team in group lab meetings.
• Independently develop and optimize new protocols for future large-scale data generation efforts.
• Develop schedules for meeting data generation goals on time.
• Coordinate and contribute to small team efforts to implement that schedule.
• Track progress and report to the lab PI and research team.
• Oversee shipping and receiving, maintain inventory, and order key reagents.
• Coordinate lab chores, including equipment maintenance and organization.
• Prepare and maintain lab stocks of common reagents.
• Review journals and scientific literature on new approaches to optimize lab processes and protocols.
• Share updates and information with the research team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology, or other directly related scientific field.
• Two years of research experience, or a related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis.