Research Technician 2 - Multiple Teams

Research Technician II – Psychiatry – Behavioral Medicine Division - Collective for Psychiatric Neuroengineering

Be You.

The CPNE studies how psychiatric disorders arise from disruptions in coordinated electrical activity across large-scale cortical and subcortical brain networks. By integrating mouse models with approaches from psychiatry, neurophysiology, molecular biology, and biomedical engineering, our research aims to identify abnormal brain activity patterns that may represent a common point of convergence for diverse biological mechanisms contributing to psychiatric illness.

Our work also focuses on the development and use of bioengineered proteins to modulate neural activity and restore more normal patterns of brain function in disease-relevant states. These tools allow us to test whether targeted correction of abnormal electrical activity can improve behavioral outcomes.

As a Research Technician II in the CPNE, you will contribute directly to this research mission by providing hands-on laboratory support for ongoing studies. This role will involve assisting with molecular biology workflows, cell culture and transfection, protein analysis, and other experimental procedures that support the development and validation of bioengineered tools for neuroscience research.

 Minimum Requirements:

• Work requires a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology or other related scientific fields. 
• None required above education/training requirement or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in molecular biology techniques, including molecular cloning, plasmid design, primer design, restriction enzyme digestion, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, and plasmid preparation.
• Familiarity with cloning strategies such as restriction enzyme-based cloning, Gibson Assembly, ligation-based cloning, and sequence verification.
• Experience using molecular biology software for plasmid design, primer design, sequence analysis, codon optimization, and protein construct planning (Benchling, SnapGene or similar software is preferred).
• Familiarity with protein design and structure prediction tools, such as AlphaFold, or similar, to support protein construct design, domain/tag placement, or interpretation of protein structure-function relationships.
• Basic experience with cell culture, sterile technique, cell maintenance, and transfection protocols.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow complex experimental protocols.
• Prior experience in a research laboratory setting, particularly within molecular biology, neuroscience or psychiatry.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, including electronic laboratory notebooks (Benchling) and plasmid/construct databases.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow institutional biosafety regulations.
• Must complete Duke’s required laboratory safety, biosafety, and other applicable training upon hire.
• Must adhere to all institutional policies, standard operating procedures, and regulatory requirements for laboratory research.
• Ability to work independently after training while also collaborating effectively with postdoctoral associates, graduate students, research scientists, and other laboratory staff.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required depending on experimental schedules, cell culture maintenance, or time-sensitive experiments.

Be Bold.

Position Description:

• Work schedule will be onsite, 8:30-5:00, Monday through Friday.
• Collaborate with postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and other lab staff on the design, preparation, execution, and troubleshooting of experiments.
• Design and execute molecular cloning strategies, including primer design, restriction digestion, Gibson Assembly, ligation-based cloning, bacterial transformation, plasmid screening, and sequence verification.
• Design and generate DNA/protein constructs, including tagged proteins, codon-optimized sequences, and plasmids for expression in cell-based systems.
• Perform DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, gel purification, restriction enzyme digestion, bacterial transformation, miniprep/maxiprep plasmid preparation, and related molecular biology workflows.
• Develop, organize, and maintain plasmid libraries, including accurate documentation of plasmid maps, sequences, primers, cloning strategies, bacterial stocks, and sequence verification results.
• Help to maintain cell cultures using sterile technique and assist with cell-based experiments, including transfection, expression testing, and sample preparation.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, read literature relevant to the research area, and contribute to discussions about experimental design and project progress.
• Maintain organized electronic laboratory notebooks (Benchling), ensuring that protocols, raw data, plasmid information, and experimental results are well documented for analysis by senior lab members.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Choose Duke.

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, founded in 1943, is one of 26 departments in the Duke University School of Medicine (SOM). The department is comprised of more than 500 faculty, staff, and trainees. Our goal is to help people with behavioral health challenges live their best life. We pursue this goal through a three-fold mission of superior specialty and integrated patient care for all, ground-breaking research, and exceptional training and education.

Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines. Beyond the engaging work, you'll also benefit from Duke's competitive benefits package, including health insurance plans, generous paid time off, retirement programs with employer contributions, tuition assistance for employees and their children, and more.

Screening of Applications:

• Screening continues until position is filled.