Research Assistant 1 - GI Medicine (Term Position)

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:

GI Medicine

Job Summary:

Under moderate 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 laboratory and research functions.

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A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.

Department Summary:

Welcome to the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We strive to provide outstanding medical care to people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, to train gastroenterology clinicians and researchers, and to perform cutting-edge biomedical research to improve our understanding of digestive diseases. The division has nearly 80 physician-scientists, clinician-educators, medical center clinicians, advanced practice providers, and research-track investigators.

There are three goals that define our division:

• Innovative biomedical, discovery-based research

• Education and training of medical students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, GI research and GI clinical fellows

• Clinical and endoscopic practice focused on compassionate and outstanding patient care

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition seeks a balance in its clinical and research activities. We strive to serve as a beacon to attract world-class clinicians, investigators and trainees to VUMC with the ultimate goal of providing exceptional patient care and performing innovative, discovery-driven 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

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

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 professional area. Team Interaction