Research Technician III

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.

The David Lab at Duke University ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is recruiting a technician to join a team of scientists developing and using new DNA sequencing tools to study diet and gut microbiome. 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 450 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 Welcome Fund. We seek Research Technician III to play a crucial role in supporting our team's research efforts. This position is suited for individuals who thrive in an in‑person work environment, requiring high precision and efficiency in laboratory tasks, and a mindset geared towards continuous learning and improvement.

The RTIII will run day‑to‑day molecular workflows that move samples from receipt to clean, analyzable sequencing libraries. The RTIII will also help standardize procedures, maintain inventory and equipment, and train student assistants to ensure reliable throughput across multiple projects. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both hands‑on molecular laboratory work and the operational discipline required to keep multi‑project sample and sequencing workflows running smoothly.

Work generally requires skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology, or other science‑related scientific field programs.

• Technical Proficiency:
  Experience in genomics or related fields, with a background in DNA extraction, PCR, and/or sequencing. Prior experience with robotic systems is a plus.
• Growth Mindset: A strong willingness to learn, adapt, and develop new skills. We value curiosity and a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• Dedication and Efficiency:
  We seek individuals who thrive on doing experimental work, and who have a passion for repeatedly conducting detail‑oriented experiments with a focus on precision and efficiency. We seek individuals who are self‑motivated and dedicated to continuous improvement.
• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to communicate effectively within a team and contribute to a collaborative research environment.

• 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

• Experience with DNA extraction, PCR,…