Research Support, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

The Research Support Specialist will support therapeutic endeavors being conducted by the Lippmann lab that involve delivery of hydrogels siRNAs proteins and cells into the brain and periphery. The specialist will perform intracerebroventricular intra cisterna magna and intrathecal injections of siRNA conjugates as well as intraparenchymal injections of designer proteins and engineered cells including mesenchymal stromal cell and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived products. The specialist will also perform injections of hydrogels with or without engineered cells into central and peripheral sites to assess therapeutic outcomes as part of several collaborative projects with other research groups. These activities will be performed on healthy animals as well as animals subjected to femoral artery ligation femur fracture or spinal fusion. If not fluent in these techniques the specialist will be required to learn them and/or effectively collaborate on their implementation.

The Lippmann Lab in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University seeks candidates to fill an animal research specialist position. The labs mission is to model understand and treat neurodegeneration using multidisciplinary approaches spanning engineering neuroscience and regenerative medicine. Please refer to to learn more about our research team members and news updates.

Duties and Responsibilities

Mouse colony maintenance

Breeding and genotyping
Detailed inventories coupled to experimental timelines

Non-surgical animal procedures

Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
Euthanasia and tissue harvesting

Animal survival surgeries

ICV ICM and intraparenchymal injections in mice
Potentially intrathecal injections in rats depending on interest
Femoral artery ligation in mice
Femur fracture and spinal fusion procedures in mice

Assist with animal-related lab operations

Maintain survival surgery records
Initiate and implement IACUC protocol updates
Train other members of the lab on relevant techniques

Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the laboratory manager.

Qualifications

A masters degree in a relevant field e.g. engineering biology chemistry biochemistry or related field is required.
5 - 7 years of experience in mouse survival surgery is required. 8 - 11 years of experience preferred.
Strong communication and organizational skills are required.
Diligence along with the ability and desire to maintain high quality records and safety standards are required.
Willingness to train others in relevant techniques and strong interpersonal skills are required.