Research Assistant 2, Core - Onsite, Nashville TN

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

Center for Epithelial Biology

Job Summary:

The Core Research Assistant II executes the day to day flow of the lab under the direction of the Core Manager or Director. Under minimal supervision, set up, conduct experiments, and continue research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. Assist in other core laboratory and research functions, which may include utilizing the CORES system to document services provide and ensuring services are appropriately billed.

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Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience using microscopes

• Familiarity with antibody handling and related laboratory techniques

• Practical experience in cell-based wet lab environments

• Demonstrated real-world work experience in manual roles, showcasing adaptability and work ethic

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Foundational knowledge of chemistry principles and laboratory safety

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Under minimal supervision, plan, conduct and evaluate experiments and assays of varying complexity.
• Understand and follow experimental protocols.
• Record, compile, and report data.
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Ensure Laboratory is prepared for experiments
• Maintain inventories
• Maintain sterile conditions as required
• Prepare reagents
• Clean equipment
• Under the direction of the Core Manager or Director, execute the day to day flow of the lab.
• Provide training to new staff.
• Assist in day to day problem solving.
• Maintains the instrument/equipment used for services provided by the core.
• Read and follow all equipment manuals.
• Maintain and repair equipment according to manufacturer and University guidelines.
• Provide training to researchers in instrument/equipment operation.
• Troubleshoots instrument/equipment problems.
• May utilize the CORES system for documenting services provided and to ensure services are appropriately billed to clients.
• Accurately compile information for monthly billing.
• Invoices clients for services utilizing CORES.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.

World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.

Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions, the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff. 

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a profession