Research Assistant II - On Site

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:

Section Surgical Research

Job Summary:

In your pivotal role as Research Assistant II, you will work in the laboratory performing administrative, research, and technical duties. You may also order lab supplies and participate in the development of research strategies.

REQUIRED:
• Bachelor’s (or equivalent experience)
• 2 years of relevant experience; cell culture experience is ideal
• Experience with WorkDay is a plus

You will work fully on-site at the VUMC main campus and will work standard, daytime business hours, Monday-Friday.

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DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Division of Surgical Research (DSR) at VUMC is committed to provide our surgeon-scientists and researchers the resources to engage in and advance the frontiers of scientific biomedical research for the benefit of improving and preserving the health and healing of the citizens on a global scale.  For more information, please visit https://www.vumc.org/surgical-research.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under moderate supervision, conduct and evaluate experiments and assays

• Understand and follow experimental protocols (may include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.)

• Record, compile, interpret, and communicate data/results

• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogens)

• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions

• Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot equipment in experimental procedures

• Read and follow all equipment manuals

• Maintain and repair equipment according to manufacturer and University guidelines

• Ensure Laboratory is prepared for experiments

• Maintain inventories

• Maintain sterile conditions as required

• Prepare reagents

• Demonstrate an understanding of acceptable procedures and techniques

• Recognize problems and suggest solutions

• Assist in modifications as directed

• Provide appropriate written documentation of experiments

• Prepare preliminary research progress reports

• Summarize test results appropriately

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.