Laboratory Research Analyst 2

Overview

The David Lab at Duke University (www.ladlab.org) is recruiting a Laboratory Research Analyst II to join a team of scientists developing and using new DNA sequencing tools to study diet. We are particularly interested in creating new ways to measure and analyze food intake, which is essential for monitoring and improving human health. We are developing new DNA sequencing-based techniques that track the dietary plant and animal species people consume. Our techniques generate objective data on intakes of over 900 plant and animal species, robust to differences in memory/recall, and standardized across languages and cultures using the universal language of DNA. We collaborate with researchers and communities across North Carolina and the world. Our studies will also create new models of disease risk and examine geographic, cultural, behavioral, and socioeconomic determinants of diet. Our projects are funded by awards from Schmidt Sciences, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the National Institutes of Health, the Gerber Foundation, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

The Role

We seek a Laboratory Research Analyst II to take on independent responsibility for analyzing the lab's research data and for communicating its findings through technical and scientific writing. Scientific writing is at the heart of this role: the analyst will translate complex genomic analyses into high-quality manuscripts, progress reports, technical documentation, and figures, and will confer with the Principal Investigator on preparing scientific manuscripts for publication. Alongside this writing focus, the analyst will plan and interpret complex genomic studies, evaluate and interpret data, help shape experimental and analytical plans, stay current with the scientific literature, support compliance around human biospecimens, and mentor junior personnel. The role suits an experienced, scientifically trained individual who exercises independent judgment and writes clearly and compellingly about genomics, nutrition, and the gut microbiome.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Scientific Writing (primary responsibility)

• Prepare laboratory findings for publication and progress reports, including reviewing raw data, advising on how it should be formatted and plotted, and contributing to figure design.
• Draft and edit technical writing to describe the lab's research, and confer with the Principal Investigator on the preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication. The analyst may also contribute to the preparation of research proposals.
• Produce and maintain clear technical documentation of the lab's methods, analyses, and results, and help edit and strengthen the scientific writing of trainees and other lab members.

Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Independently evaluate and interpret research data and prepare reports and analyses setting forth project progress, trends, and conclusions.
• Confer with the Principal Investigator on research plans and on the interpretation of results across the lab's concurrent studies.

Research Planning & Experimental Design

• Assist in the planning, development, and implementation of laboratory efforts to develop genomic techniques for dietary reconstruction and microbiome profiling, including identifying relevant sample controls and judging whether sample calibration and quality checks have been successful.
• Plan and review both short-term and long-term experimental plans and analytical goals; recognize unusual outcomes in genomic studies and suggest how to address them; and help design experiments for publication as well as preliminary studies and approaches for future work.

Scientific Currency & Literature

• Stay current with the scientific literature to identify new experimental and analytical techniques that could be adopted by the lab, and identify relevant research published externally that could complement ongoing work.

Compliance & Biospecimen Stewardship

• Receive training in and help manage the ethical and regulatory documents around the receipt, storage, and analysis of human biospecimens, and help coordinate the lab's compliance with standards for human-biospecimen work.

Mentoring & Coordination

• Advise and instruct graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate researchers in the overall conduct of academic research, and help coordinate experimental efforts among trainees, technicians, and the Principal Investigator.

What We Value

Technical & Scientific Writing: Exceptional technical and scientific writing ability, translating complex data and analyses into clear, publication-quality manuscripts, reports, technical documentation, and figures. This is the most important qualification for the role; strong candidates write independently, edit rigorously, and can strengthen the writing of others. Additionally, we are looking for someone who can synthesize findings across multiple concurrent studies into a coherent narrative.

Scientific Judgment: The ability to work independently on complex genomic studies, planning analyses, interpreting results, and recognizing and addressing unusual outcomes.

Technical Proficiency: Experience analyzing and interpreting research data and familiarity with genomics, the microbiome, or related fields. It will also be important to write persuasively, to a brief, and under deadlines and length constraints.

Communication & Mentorship: The ability to communicate effectively within a team, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to a collaborative research environment. Also, it will be important to frame the significance and broader impact of the lab's work for varied scientific and lay audiences.

Join Us

Be part of a dynamic team committed to innovating in the fields of genomics, nutrition, and public health. Our lab offers a stimulating environment where your contributions will have a meaningful impact on scientific research and public health. We welcome applicants who are passionate about advancing genomic technologies and are ready to embark on a challenging and rewarding research career.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a life-science, health-science, or quantitative field (e.g. biology, genomics, epidemiology, nutrition science, public health, engineering), or in a writing-intensive field (e.g., science or technical communication, journalism, English), or a related field, plus four years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A related master's degree may offset required experience on a 1:1 basis.

Demonstrated excellence in technical and scientific writing is central to this role and is the primary skill we are seeking; applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a writing sample. Experience analyzing and interpreting research data and a background in genomics, the gut microbiome, or nutrition are preferred. Experience with AI workflows (e.g., LLM-based tools for research, writing, or analysis) is a plus. A willingness to experiment with and embrace AI-based approaches to scientific writing will be required.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role, emphasizing their research-analysis and scientific-writing experience. Applicants are encouraged to include a writing sample (e.g., a manuscript, report, or section they authored). Please apply through the Duke University careers portal, referencing this specific position.