Research Asst I

Position Summary:

The ResearchAssistant is part of the Mechanical Engineering Department in theDong Lab at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible forevaluating airway medical devices in small- and large-animal models.

The ResearchAssistant will plan coordinate and execute preclinical studies that assess device performance usability safety and biological response in the airway. Responsibilities include developing test methods and study plans; preparing devices fixtures and instrumentation; supporting procedures under approved animal-use protocols and veterinary oversight; acquiring and analyzing physiological imaging and device-performance data; maintaining complete study records; and communicating results to the research team. TheAssistant will collaborate with faculty veterinarians surgeons research staff students and external partners to translate prototypes toward clinically relevant validation.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University advances research and education in biomedical devices mechatronics and control advanced manufacturing rehabilitation engineering surgical and soft robotics nanoscience and aerospace engineering. The Dong Lab develops innovative medical devices and robotic technologies for challenging clinical applications. This position will support the labs airway-device program by connecting engineering design with rigorous preclinical evaluation in close partnership with veterinary and clinical collaborators.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

The ResearchAssistant will perform complex technical and operational duties to ensure safe reproducible and well-documented preclinical testing. Responsibilities include:

• Preclinical Study Planning: translate research objectives into testable endpoints study plans acceptance criteria schedules equipment lists and data-collection procedures for small- and large-animal studies.
• Animal Study Coordination:
  • Coordinate small-animal studies and large-animal studies with veterinary staff clinical collaborators core facilities and the principal investigator.

Support study activities only under current IACUC-approved protocols institutional policies required training and direction from qualified veterinary or clinical personnel.

• Prepare procedure rooms devices sterile supplies airway models imaging systems sensors ventilation-related equipment and emergency backup equipment before each study.
  • Assist with airway-device placement and evaluation bronchoscopy or other imaging workflows physiologic monitoring specimen handling and post-procedure activities within the individuals training and authorized role.
• Medical Device Engineering and Testing: design or modify prototypes fixtures delivery systems and instrumentation; develop bench and ex vivo tests that inform animal studies; troubleshoot mechanical electrical fluidic imaging and software interfaces; and document device configuration and verification results.
• Data Quality and Documentation: acquire synchronized device imaging video and physiological data; maintain traceable study records; analyze results using appropriate statistical and engineering methods; prepare figures reports presentations and protocol materials; and contribute to design reviews risk assessments manuscripts grant reports and regulatory-facing documentation.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the lab faculty member Dr. Xiaoguang Dong.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelors degree in Biomedical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Bioengineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution is required; a masters degree is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 1 year of work experience is preferred but not required so long as the list of requirements below can be met.
• Knowledge of animal-research compliance IACUC protocols biosafety sterile technique and humane study practices is required or must be acquired through Vanderbilt training before independent work.
• Ability to develop clear test methods follow controlled procedures maintain accurate records and troubleshoot complex experiments is required.
• Proficiency with data analysis and technical documentation is required; experience with MATLAB Python LabVIEW ImageJ CAD or equivalent engineering tools is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers scientists veterinarians clinicians students and external partners are required.
• Strong organizational time-management critical-thinking safety-awareness and problem-solving skills are necessary.
• Ability to work flexibly around scheduled animal procedures including occasional early mornings evenings or extended study days is required.
• Demonstrated experience with medical-device development experimental engineering or preclinical research is required; experience with both small- and large-animal studies is strongly preferred.
• Experience preparing and operating test instrumentation sensors imaging systems data-acquisition hardware and custom mechanical or mechatronic prototypes is preferred.
• Experience with airway procedures bronchoscopy intubation ventilation anesthesia monitoring or respiratory physiology in a research or clinical environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience in an academic research regulated product-development or quality-managed laboratory setting is preferred.