Research Technician I

Be You.

Duke Integrative Immunobiology:
Excellence in Research, Education, and Science Culture

Integrative Immunobiology is a basic science department that seeks to understand the function of the immune system and how information derived from patients can help frame the research questions we ask to best understand human diseases. This is reflected in our training mission with multiple interdisciplinary research projects for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to tackle. Also critical to our success as a department is fostering a culturewhere people of all backgrounds are respected and includedas well as an ethos of service to society.

Dr. Jose Conejo-Garcia's research program focuses on understanding and targeting the mechanisms governing the balance between immunosuppression and protective immunity in the tumor microenvironment, with an emphasis on the crosstalk between innate (gamma/delta) and adaptive (alpha/beta) T cells, and B lymphocytes, including in Tertiary Lymphoid Structures. Discoveries for the Conejo-Garcia lab are also being translated in active clinical trials using CAR T cells to treat ovarian cancer patients.

The Conejo-Garcia laboratory at Duke University is seeking a motivated recent graduate for the position of

research technician I.

Occupational Summary

The candidate will work on supporting a team of postdoctoral fellows and physician-scientists working on understanding the immunobiology of cancer and developing novel anti-cancer immunotherapies.

Work Performed

The candidate selected will perform a variety of technical duties involved in maintaining colonies of NSG mice, perform in vivo experiments challenging mice with tumors and treating them with anti-cancer immunotherapies, and supporting common tasks in the lab (e.g., ensuring proper sample processing and storage of tumor banks).

The research technician will also obtain, prepare, mount and stain tissue, blood and other substances for microscopic examinations; prepare culture media, chemicals, reagents and solutions; and assist in the development of new research procedures and techniques, in coordination with other team members.

Finally, the technician will maintain sufficient inventory of materials, liquid nitrogen tanks, supplies and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain standard laboratory equipment.

As the technician matures in the lab, a specific independent project will be assigned to be developed in parallel.

Education/Training

A bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, or other basic science, is required.

The ideal candidate will be someone with an interest in gaining experience in biomedical research to eventually apply for a graduate program (PhD or medical school), with a commitment of at least two years.

Experience

None required but research experience during college would be preferred.

Duties Performed:

Maintain colonies of NSG mice 15%

Handle live mice to perform treatments testing specific immunotherapies, delivered through different methods. Sacrificing mice and processing of organs and tissues for analyses. 20%

Maintenance of frequently used cell culture models (e.g., cell lines and/or organoids) for experiments conducted by multiple postdoctoral fellows in the lab. Prepares standard lab solutions, media, and bacterial culture plates. Performs general maintenance and equipment calibrations. 20%

Responsible for processing freshly resected tumors and autologous PBMCs from patients with cancer. 25%

Maintain sufficient inventory of materials, liquid nitrogen tanks, supplies and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain standard laboratory equipment 20%

Choose Duke.

Join our award-winning team as identified by Forbes magazine as America's Best Large Employer 2024 and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery. As an organization, we have exciting opportunities to be forward-thinking leaders in our field. We want talented individuals to join us, examine our current operations, and create innovative solutions that will revolutionize and enhance the way we approach our work.

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 Benefits package Open Enrollment for 2026 Benefits | Human Resources including health insurance plans, generous paid time off, retirement programs with employer contributions, tuition assistance for employees and their children, and more.