Research Associate in Orthopaedics

Work Arrangement: On-Site
Requisition Number: 262925
Employment Type: Regular
Personnel Area: Medical Center
Location: Durham, NC, US 27710
Date Posted: October 27, 2025

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.

Occupational Summary

Conduct highly technical and specialized orthopedic scientific research; perform bench and clinical research experiments, including animal surgery, simulations, and theoretical investigations; analyze data; and disseminate research findings. Participate and observe clinical activities, including clinical visits, rounds, meetings, and surgeries.

This position will work with Peter Passias, MD, in the Duke Spine Division, a combined division under Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated current and ongoing significant interest in spine surgery.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform independent experiments, simulations, and theoretical investigations, including data collection and evaluation of data relevance

• Prepare, submit, and revise scientific projects to the institution’s Review Board (IRB) for ethics approval and register studies on appropriate platforms (e.g., Clinical Trials), when applicable

• Enroll patients and volunteers in research, including informed consent during clinical and academic activities

• Contact subjects via email, phone calls, messages, or applications for admission, informed consent signatures, visits, and questionnaire completion

• Access electronic charts, imaging, and laboratory databases to gather research information and extract Patient Reported Outcome Measures

• Collaborate with PhDs at the laboratory, division, department, and university levels and develop data-sharing agreements and investigator initiatives with sponsor collaboration

• Independently conduct basic and clinical research tasks under faculty or principal investigator oversight and contribute to documentation of equipment and procedures

• Analyze data for relevance and integrity, perform basic data analysis techniques, and compare findings to previously published work

• Prepare manuscripts as contributing author for publication and present results at departmental seminars and professional meetings

• Contribute to new and ongoing research grant proposals and assist in securing funding

• Organize deadlines related to meetings, journal submissions, and grant proposals; provide administrative oversight of ongoing and developing projects and manage laboratory datasets

• Prepare and present progress reports required by funding agencies and ensure adherence to safety, compliance, HIPAA, and patient safety guidelines

• Lead basic research projects involving cadaveric studies and animal models

• Develop independent research ideas and assist with literature reviews and lecture organization within the Department of Orthopedics

• Participate in journal clubs and academic meetings

• Observe clinics and operating rooms, including case preparation and discussion

• Mentor medical students, residents, and fellows in research projects and supervise progress of ongoing research initiatives

• Provide functional and administrative supervision for staff, including direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling, as needed

Preferred Skills

• Prior robust statistical and research experience

• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and integrate seamlessly into a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated current and ongoing significant interest in spine surgery

Equal Opportunity Statement

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, 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 strongest when the diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. All members of the community share responsibility for upholding these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

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