Position Description

A research scientist position is available on December 15, 2024 in the Venturelli Lab (www.venturellilab.org). The Venturelli Lab aims to understand how interactions across genetic, molecular and ecological scales impact functions of microbial communities. A major goal is to design novel strategies to precisely shift microbiomes to desired metabolic states. Our major focus is understanding and engineering the health-relevant functions such as metabolite profiles, host-microbe interactions and pathogen inhibition of the human gut microbiome. Responsibilities of this position could encompass:

·       Organizing and Maintaining Bacterial Stocks: Ensure the proper storage and management of bacterial cultures, maintaining their viability and availability for research purposes.

·       Operating Liquid Handling Robot: Learn and proficiently operate our liquid handling robot, streamlining liquid transfers and improving experimental efficiency.

·       Supporting Research Activities: Assist students and postdoctoral researchers with their experiments, providing technical support, guidance, and troubleshooting.

·       Measuring metabolites samples: Operate and manage an liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (LC-MS) to analyze samples and interpret data, supporting various research initiatives.

·       Maintaining Lab Organization: Keep the laboratory environment organized and ensure that all equipment is well-maintained, calibrated, and functioning optimally.

·       Oversee chemical and biological safety

·       Training of laboratory members on experimental techniques

Qualifications include a PhD in biology, chemistry or engineering or related field. The ideal candidate will have have experience in one or more of the following areas: microbiology techniques, mammalian cell culture, bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, molecular biology and/or next-generation sequencing techniques. Research Staff are expected to contribute to ongoing research projects and possibly lead an independent research project if interested, oversee biological and chemical safety, maintain laboratory equipment and organization, train laboratory members to use equipment and carry out experimental techniques. Interested candidates should send their CV, description of career goals and at least 3 letters of reference to Dr. Ophelia Venturelli (ophelia.venturelli@duke.edu).

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.