Research Technician

Job Title: Research Technician Job Description
We are seeking a Research Technician II to join a dynamic laboratory focused on understanding how pathogens like coronaviruses, herpesviruses, and HIV interact with the immune system. The role supports crucial research by designing and producing proteins for vaccine and therapeutic research, contributing to candidates advancing into clinical development.
Responsibilities
- Support daily laboratory operations focused on recombinant protein production and cell culture.
- Maintain and monitor immortalized mammalian cell cultures used for transient transfection and protein production.
- Perform sterile cell culture procedures to prevent contamination from environmental sources.
- Produce and prepare DNA constructs for transfections.
- Purify recombinantly expressed proteins and perform biochemical characterization, including SDS-PAGE and size exclusion chromatography.
- Conduct molecular biology techniques such as PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, and plasmid purification.
- Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and documentation records.
- Participate in data review and research planning discussions with the Principal Investigator.
- Collaborate with laboratory staff and researchers.
- Perform routine laboratory maintenance, cleaning, organization, and inventory management.
- Follow all laboratory safety protocols and procedures.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
- Minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience preferred.
- Strong pipetting skills and experience with sterile technique.
- Cell culture experience is preferred.
- Exposure to molecular biology techniques is highly desirable.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- High level of reliability and accountability.
- Excellent record-keeping and organizational skills.
- Detail-oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Team-oriented and collaborative approach.
Work Environment
This position is 100% onsite, working from a lab within the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The environment is mission-driven and collaborative, offering a world-class research setting with opportunities for professional growth and development.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.65 - $22.85/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Durham,NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.