Lab Research Analyst

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 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

The Collective for Psychiatric Neuroengineering (CPNE - https://www.collectiveneuro.com/) is seeking to hire a Lab Analyst I to work on our C. Elegans and molecular biology projects in the Dzirasa Laboratory at Duke University. Our HHMI, NIH, and foundation-funded-lab brings together a collective of scientists with diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, and life experiences to work jointly to solve problems. This collaborative approach produces outcomes greater than any one person could do alone, while providing an environment that enriches, nurtures, and trains each individual.

This position will work under the leadership of Dr. Kafui Dzirasa and a Senior Scientist, Dr. Julia Derk, within his laboratory to design and execute neuroscience studies. Specifically, you will focus on developing molecular biology and C. Elegans behavioral assays. Your work will integrate with our molecular team to inject 'Long-term integration of Circuits using connexins' (LinCx) extrachromosomal arrays into specific C. Elegans neuronal pairs to test our hypothesis that LinCx can augment circuits and downstream behavior, including chemosensation attraction and avoidance behavior. Our ultimate goal is to select the top candidates to move up the evolutionary tree to drive context-precise circuit-editing with unprecedented spatiotemporal specificity to eliminate depressive-like symptoms and other symptoms of psychiatric disorders in mice, dogs, and humans.

The candidate must be enthusiastic and willing to undertake multiple projects that will improve our understanding of protein engineering approaches to edit circuits with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapeutics that improve human mental health. Our ultra-collaborative approach internally and externally requires someone with immense emotional and intellectual intelligence to drive multifaceted projects that transcend any one field. We have dynamic collaborations with people from diverse expertise and backgrounds and our laboratory highly values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are looking for an inclusive, thoughtful, driven, and reliable individual with a brave outlook and willingness to be solutions-oriented as we navigate a new frontier of neuroscience.

Minimum Requirements:

• Work requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.
• Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience.
• OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master's degree or equivalent work experience in neuroscience, biology, or biomedical engineering or other related field
• Strong acumen in statistics and experimental design
• A minimum of 2 years of hands-on laboratory experience
• A minimum of 1 year of mentoring or TA experience in biological contexts (classrooms or laboratories)
• Energetic, strong work ethic, and a growth mindset

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Team-oriented and able to work effectively in a 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
• Detail-oriented and exquisite organizational skills
• Experience with diverse groups

• Passion for research that improves mental health
• Able and willing to work full-time, in person

Other Requirements:

• N/A

Be Bold.

Position Description:

1. C. elegans maintenance, generation, and experiments (40%)




1. Execute complex scientific projects within the Collective for Psychiatric Neuroengineering laboratory under the guidance of Drs. Julia Derk and Kafui Dzirasa.
2. Perform C. Elegans animal husbandry to maintain lines with proper sterility to ensure high-quality care for the research organisms.
3. Generate novel C. Elegans strains by injecting extrachromosomal arrays into the gonad to target specific neurons with novel proteins.
4. Execute cloning techniques to augment plasmids to generate novel extrachromosomal arrays.
5. Conduct published behavioral paradigms, including but not limited to chemosensation attraction and avoidance behavior.
6. Analyze behavior by Wormlab or other machine learning paradigms.
7. Innovate to develop novel paradigms to dissect neural circuits of C. elegans through behavioral assays
8. Accurately document all procedures, data, and results.




2. Intellectual contributions to the project and collaborative groups (25%)




1. Attend and lead CPNE and NCCU Marshall Lab Meetings to discuss the advancement of the project, insights into new directions, and intellectual contributions
2. Read scientific literature to guide current and future projects for conception to technical approaches




3. Integrate with current project management and documentation systems within the laboratory (20%)




1. Keep an up-to-date lab notebook in Benchling and support undergraduate researchers in the laboratory in their documentation work
2. Log critical maintenance information such as daily lab temperature, storage and record keeping of all reagents, plasmids, worm lines, and stay up to date with documentation related to all compliance (EH&S, cybersecurity, fire safety, etc.)
3. Safely and responsibly receive and provide maintenance and upkeep for all reagents and equipment within the laboratory space
4. Interface effectively as a liaison between NCCU collaborators and CPNE at Duke




4. Training and oversight (15%)




1. Assist with training research technicians and students on CPNE C. elegans projects, safety procedures, and documentation
2. Provide day-to-day guidance to support consistent execution of workflows
3. Mentor and educate trainees within the laboratory space

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 deadline is July 8, 2026.