Research Scientist, Senior
Duke University
Durham, NC · Posted November 5, 2026
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Where Durham, NC ranks
Where Durham, NC placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #4Best cities for director and executive jobs in the Southeast27% · of 87
- #10Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Southeast7% · of 77
- #10Best cities for junior jobs in North Carolina25% · of 11
- #12Best cities for clinical jobs76 openings · of 22
- #13Best cities for education jobs155 openings · of 47
- #13Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Southeast10% · of 87
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 49 open research scientist listings that state pay, the middle half runs $195,000 to $287,500 and the median is $231,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among medical scientists, except epidemiologists is little observed so far. Measured exposure for medical scientists, except epidemiologists: 4% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
About the job
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. Be You.
The Duke University Department of Medicine is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to join Dr. David Tuveson’s research team. You will lead work in patient-derived organoids and precision oncology in collaboration with Department of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute investigators.
Minimum Requirements
Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.). Other Credential/Experiential Requirements: 10+ years of postdoctoral experience conducting scientific research. Multiple publications and notable significant contributions to scientific research.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in patient-derived organoid culture and tumor modeling.
Experience in drug-response assays and precision-oncology workflows.
Experience in technical leadership, protocol development, and mentoring.
Other Requirements
Work is performed onsite in the research laboratory. Follow applicable laboratory safety, research integrity, and institutional requirements; maintain accurate research records.
Be Bold.
Lead development, optimization, and maintenance of patient-derived organoid cultures and related translational platforms.
Design and execute complex experimental studies, including drug-response assays and precision-oncology workflows.
Provide senior-level technical leadership for organoid-based research cores and collaborative translational projects. Oversee laboratory quality standards, protocol development, and troubleshooting of advanced experimental systems.
Mentor junior scientists, postdocs, and trainees in organoid methodology and translational research techniques.
Partner with DCI and DOM investigators to integrate organoid models into clinical and research pipelines.
Choose Duke.
Join a research team connecting laboratory studies with translational cancer research. You will collaborate with scientists and clinicians in the Department of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute and help guide experimental platforms and develop junior researchers.
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 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.
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.