Research Assistant 1

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:

Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
Provide, under direct supervision, support for specified research projects; collect, assess, and communicate data/results. Assist in general laboratory operation and inventory.

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Shift Hours:

Varied Shift; Weekend or after-hours work may be required, as needed

Your Role:

Research Focus:

The Fuhrmann Laboratory investigates the regulation of early eye development as well as endogenous repair of tissues in the mature eye. Congenital ocular malformations are prevalent in ~1 in 3-4,000 individuals and are the cause for over 25% of childhood blindness worldwide. Highly relevant also is our research with respect to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the top cause for blindness in the elderly population. Therefore, it is vitally important to understand how ocular development and regeneration in the aging eye is regulated. We use mouse as a model system to examine to genes regulating morphogenesis, differentiation and regeneration of ocular tissues. Techniques used in the lab are temporally controlled and tissue-specific gene inactivation, RNA-seq, histology, immunohistochemistry, confocal, widefield and high-resolution imaging, and culture approaches (among others). The position requires participation in maintenance of our mouse colony and working with mice as experimental model system is required.

We are looking forward to working with a highly motivated individual who is eager to collaborate with other team members in the lab and who exhibits a high level of professionalism, dedication, reliability, and intellectual curiosity. Applicants with a strong background in chemistry or biochemistry and significant prior lab experience are preferred. A minimum commitment of 2 years is required for this position.

Key Functions and Expected Performances:

Under minimal supervision, plan and conduct complex experiments, analyze data, prepare reports, and archive data.

• Plan and coordinate experiments in conjunction with Principal Investigator (PI).
• Process and analyze data demonstrating keen analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Understand and follow experimental protocols and competently perform any required assays (may include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.)
• Accurately record/document, compile, organize, and communicate data/results.
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of toxic and hazardous materials, and/or carcinogens).
• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions.
• Perform data analysis and create graphs/reports.
• Operate and maintain equipment, and, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions throughout the execution of all research projects associated with the lab.
• Recommend equipment and supplies needed for research projects.
• Familiarize with equipment operations and manuals.
• Set up, maintain, troubleshoot and arrange to repair equipment according to manufacturer and Vanderbilt University guidelines.

Ensure laboratory is prepared for experiments. Procure, organize and prepare lab supplies needed to complete the work. Maintain inventories. Maintain sterile conditions as required. Prepare reagents. Assist PI in modifying procedures and techniques. Recognize problems and suggest solutions, assist in modifications. Recommend improvements to established techniques and/or protocols (troubleshooting).
Maintain personal knowledge of scientific trends through literature reviews. Provide appropriate written/oral documentation of experiments.      Effectively communicate in oral and written formats.

• Prepare research progress reports.
• Analyze, interpret, and summarize test results.

Assist in the effective operation of the laboratory.

• Train other employees.
• Supervise projects and/or personnel.