Research Assistant II

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Job Location:

Nashville, IN - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 ofindividuals 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 uniquenessis 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. Vanderbilts mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care education and research.

Organization:

PMI Molecular Pathogenesis

Job Summary:

A laboratory in the Department of Pathology Microbiology and Immunology seeks qualified applicants for a Research Assistant II (RAII) role. The ideal candidate will function as a laboratory resource and make essential contributions by culturing cells (both eukaryotic & prokaryotic) performing molecular biology (e.g. transformations DNA preparation PCR sequence analysis etc.) expressing and purifying proteins characterizing antibodies (e.g. ELISA) conducting LIBRA-seq (linking B cell receptor to antigen specificity through sequencing) assays preparing common reagents performing routine maintenance of lab equipment inventorying reagents and supplies and carrying out other duties as necessitated. The successful candidate will under moderate supervision set up conduct experiments and contribute to research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. The RAII will also assist in other laboratory and research functions. Exceptional organizational skills verbal communication written communication attention to detail and ability to function as part of a dynamic research team are required. Previous experience with protein purification ELISA and working with viruses is preferred.

REQUIRED:
Bachelors (or equivalent experience)
2 years of relevant experience

The laboratory is located on the 11th floor of VUMC Medical Research Building IV within the Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics on Garland Nashville TN. Work hours are predominantly during daytime business hours Monday Friday but flexibility is key.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics (VCAT) is recognized as one of the leadingcenters in the world with broad expertise in basic and clinical discovery related to understanding and optimizing disease prevention through antibody discovery. At theinterface of immunology andvirology recent computational advances have allowed us to better understand the interactions between antibodies and antigen to design immunogens capable of eliciting target antibody specificities and to optimize antibodies as clinical products. Research efforts in theGeorgiev laboratoryaim to utilize thepower of computationto increase our understanding offundamental questionsin immunology and virology and to develop novel ways of using this understanding to fight diseases. For thetranslational componentof our research we apply structure-based protein design approaches to the development of new vaccine and antibody product candidates against a number of viruses of biomedical interest.

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 nations 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 HealthsStrategic Directions the Office of Research providesshared research resourcesadministrative expertiseand professional guidance to enablethetrans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training forall 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 professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time energy and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies ones own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies tools and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

2 years

Education :

Bachelors

Vanderbilt Health is committed tofosteringan environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.

Required Experience:

Junior IC

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 ofindividuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be ...