Research Scientist - 152797
Here at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI), we value collaborations, and pride ourselves in providing an excellent environment for academic and professional growth. DHVI is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental institute dedicated to the study of basic and translational science required to understand host-pathogen interactions that can be translated to therapies and vaccines against human diseases. We are a team of highly interactive investigators that have expertise in immunology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, structural biology, computational biology, and human clinical vaccine science.
The Azoitei lab at DHVI has an opening for a Research Scientist with expertise in advanced microscopy, quantitative image analysis and mammalian cell culture. The successful candidate will design, perform and analyze data from experiments involving imaging of B cells to uncover the molecular pathways that control B cell activation and development.
Responsibilities
- Independently design and execute diverse imaging experiments of live or fixed fluorescently labeled samples using widefield, confocal, light sheet or superresolution microscopy.
- Analyze and interpret imaging data using commercially available software and write image analysis routines as needed in Matlab or similar environments.
- Engineer novel optogenetic probes and FRET-based biosensors
- Perform mammalian cell culture, including the development of stable B cell lines expressing various B cell receptors.
- Work closely with the Duke Light Microscopy Core to identify the optimal imaging system and experimental set up
- Perform molecular biology, including PCR, cloning and DNA isolation, to develop new constructs for imaging experiments.
- Develop and optimize new assays and protocols for the laboratory
- Train laboratory staff and DHVI trainees and provide guidance and oversight to junior scientists
- Perform other related duties as necessary and requested by the supervisor
Education, Skills, & Experience Requirements
- A Ph.D or equivalent doctorate in biological science, chemistry, or related field is required.
- A minimum of 5 years post-graduate experience in microscopy is required.
- A demonstrated ability to utilize Matlab, Fiji or equivalent software packages for quantitative image analysis is required. The ability to write and develop custom image analysis routines is a plus.
- Must have strong quantitative skills, be team oriented and able to work effectively in a highly collaborative work environment
- Must be able to manage multiple and rapidly changing priorities and have the ability to learn and apply new skills and concepts
- Must be detail-oriented and well-organized