Duke University, Biomedical Engineering
Position Description
About the Lab
The Chory Lab at Duke University, part of the Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, works at the intersection of directed evolution, synthetic biology, chromatin biology, and lab automation. We evolve proteins and other biomolecules using phage- and robotics-assisted continuous evolution, build custom robotic systems for high-throughput screening, and develop open-source automation tools including PyLabRobot and PyHamilton. We are committed to scientific rigor, collaboration, and training the next generation of scientists.
Responsibilities
The Associate in Research leads the next phase of the Open Liquid Handler (OLH), an open-source, industry-class liquid-handling robot built on a PyLabRobot Python control stack. The role spans engineering and wet-lab work: assembling, calibrating, and validating an OLH from the bill of materials; developing, benchmarking, and documenting automated workflows (for example high-throughput sequencing library preparation, protein expression, biochemical assays, and a closed-loop turbidostat); and writing user-facing documentation that lets other labs reproduce the platform. The Research Associate works closely with collaborators building OLH units at NC State and at local startup partners, meets weekly with industry partners at Festo who co-developed the hardware, and helps onboard new builders in the open-source community. The role also analyzes experimental and instrument-performance data, contributes to manuscripts, and helps onboard and mentor students. This is a full-time position reporting to the PI with day-to-day collaboration with a senior PhD student; it carries no independent supervisory authority over staff.Qualifications
A B.S. (or higher) in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
Duke is an 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, ethnicity, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military 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:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Names and contact information of three references
Further Info: