Duke University, Biomedical Engineering
Position ID:
Position Title:
Research Associate
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America
Subject Areas:
Appl Deadline:
(posted 2025/06/04, listed until 2025/12/04)
Position Description:
Position Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to lead the development and optimization of next-generation gene synthesis technologies. This role will focus on designing and scaling innovative workflows for high-throughput, accurate, and cost-effective gene assembly. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in synthetic biology, molecular biology, or bioengineering and will thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to foundational infrastructure that supports a wide range of projects across enzyme engineering, synthetic biology, and automated molecular design.The Staff Scientist will be responsible for developing and refining gene synthesis workflows, including oligonucleotide assembly, error correction, cloning, and sequence validation. They will design protocols that are automation-compatible and scalable, and will work closely with automation engineers to integrate these methods into robotic systems. The scientist will also establish rigorous quality control pipelines, including next-generation sequencing-based validation of synthesized gene libraries, and will collaborate with computational scientists to implement seamless design-to-build pipelines. A key aspect of the role will be troubleshooting and improving synthesis workflows to maximize yield, accuracy, and throughput.
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in molecular biology, synthetic biology, bioengineering, or a related field (or an M.S. with extensive relevant experience). Hands-on expertise in gene assembly methods such as Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate, or PCR-based synthesis is required, as is experience with cloning, oligo pool design, and DNA sequence analysis. Ideal candidates will also have experience with high-throughput workflows, DNA synthesis at scale, and automated liquid handling platforms. Familiarity with scripting or programming (e.g., Python or R) is a plus, as is prior experience in a core facility or industrial R&D environment.
This role provides the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of synthetic biology and contribute to the development of enabling technologies for large-scale, data-driven biology. The Staff Scientist will be a core member of a multidisciplinary team and will have opportunities to mentor junior researchers, contribute to high-impact publications and patents, and help shape the future of gene synthesis technologies.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Names and contact information of three references
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: