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SR EMBRYOLOGIST
Job Title: SR EMBRYOLOGIST
Job Code: 4668
FLSA: N
Job Level: H1
Revised Date: 08/01/2026
Supervisory Responsibility: No
General Description of the Job Class
The Senior Embryologist performs the full range of andrology and embryology procedures at an advanced, independent level in the human in- vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory. This role combines deep technical expertise across all assisted reproductive technologies with informal mentoring of junior staff, peer-level quality review, and direct collaboration with physicians and clinic staff. The Senior Embryologist serves as a subject-matter resource for complex cases and escalates matters outside established protocols to the Lead Embryologist or Laboratory Director.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
Complex Technical Procedures:
- Perform and serve as the technical expert for complex assisted reproductive procedures, including ICSI, assisted hatching, and embryo biopsy. Provide peer technical review on non-routine cases
Laboratory Operations:
- Performs daily embryology laboratory operations, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of workflow.
- Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely laboratory documentation within fertility-specific and enterprise medical record systems (including BabySentry, RI Witness, and EPIC).
- Manage appropriate storage, inventory control, and billing protocols for frozen specimens.
- Oversee incoming and outgoing shipments of gametes and embryos.
- Monitor laboratory equipment performance; oversee routine maintenance, quality control testing, and troubleshooting.
- Participates in clinical research projects from Clinicians/Fellows as directed by Lead or Lab Director.
- Supports the Lead Embryologist in daily operations; executes assigned laboratory workflow responsibilities.
Independently analyze, interpret, and validate laboratory results; communicate findings to physicians, nursing staff, and provide clinical updates and education to patients as appropriate. Escalates complex cases, protocol deviations, and quality concerns to the Lead Embryologist or Laboratory Director.
Ensure strict adherence to laboratory protocols to maintain accurate gamete and embryo traceability at all times.
Compliance and Regulatory Adherence:
- Adhere to and support laboratory compliance with all applicable regulatory and accrediting agencies (SART/CDC, CAP, CLIA, FDA, JCAHO).
- Maintain individual proficiency testing standards and competency thresholds established by the Laboratory Director.
- Participate in QA/QI initiatives designed by the Lead Embryologist.
Train Embryologists on routine and complex procedures; provide informal mentoring, technical peer review, and new-hire onboarding support. Training responsibility only - does not hold formal supervisory, performance management, or development-planning authority (those accountabilities reside with the Lead Embryologist).
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry or other related scientific field.
Experience
Minimum 4 years of clinical/research experience within a reproductive lab and/or andrology lab. An advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in biology, zoology, biochemistry, reproductive biology, embryology, or a related scientific field may substitute for 1 year of the required experience.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
N/A
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to independently seek out resources and work collaboratively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, visitors, healthcare team, physicians, administrators, leadership and others.
Ability to remain focused and organized.
Excellent customer service skills including prioritizing the needs of patients and team members while displaying empathy in all interactions to ensure complete satisfaction.
Ability to analyze, evaluate multiple solutions and solve complex problems using well developed critical & analytical thinking skills.
Excellent time management skills needed to prioritize among many competing priorities, including time sensitive procedures.
Attention to detail needed to operate accurately and effectively.
Adaptability to changing technologies and protocols.
Adaptability to competing priorities.
Willingness to adapt to high pace and fast changing situations.
Proficient in all routine andrology and embryology procedures listed below. Proficient with oversight in complex procedures (embryo biopsy, PGT handling, new-technique introduction). Serves as a peer-level technical resource.
Technical andrology procedures: Daily QC, Semen volume assessment, Measurement of pH, viscosity and granulocytes, Semen preparation for sperm chromatin structure assay Sterile technique, Sperm concentration assessment, Sperm motility assessment, Sperm morphology assessment, Density gradient centrifugation, Simple wash semen preparation, Microfluidic sperm sorting technologies, Preparation of samples for Intrauterine Insemination, Sperm cryopreservation, Post-thaw analysis , Viability assessment, Processing samples from: Tesiticular sperm extraction, Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration, Micro-TESE, and Isolation of viable sperm from processed surgical samples.
Technical embryology procedures: Daily QC, Culture preparation, Sterile Technique, Embryo culture, Sperm preparation (conventional), Sperm preparation (ICSI), Oocyte maturity assessment, Fertilization assessment post ICSI, D3 embryo assessment, D5-7 embryo assessment, Oocyte preparation - denudation, Oocyte preparation - activation/calcium ionophore, Conventional insemination, Fertilization assessment post conventional insemination, Assisted hatching, Embryo transfer procedure, Embryo vitrification, Embryo warming, ICSI, Oocyte vitrification, Oocyte warming, Embryo biopsy, Biopsy tubing.
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University 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, (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.
