Research Support

Position Summary:
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.

The animal research 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. Overall these activities are expected to take 80% of the specialists effort. The remaining 20% of the specialists effort will be devoted to animal support for the Chapman Lab in the same department.

The Chapman Lab designs vaccines and therapeutics designed to directly engage B lymphocytes. For more information please this role the animal specialist will support breeding programs establish murine models of autoimmune disease pemphigus vulgaris perform parenteral injections collect specimens and conduct necropsies.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
1.
Mouse colony maintenance

Breeding and genotyping of wildtype and transgenic mice including immunocompromisedstrains

Detailed inventories coupled to experimental timelines
2.
Non-surgical animal procedures

Subcutaneous intramuscular intradermal intravenous and retro-orbital injections

Euthanasia and tissue harvesting
3.
Animal survival surgeries

ICV ICM and intraparenchymal injections in mice

Intrathecal injections in rats

Femoral artery ligation in mice

Femur fracture and spinal fusion procedures in mice

Animal models of autoimmune disease

Establish active and passive models of pemphigus vulgaris

Establish active experimental model of myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and perform behavioral tests of muscle strength
5.
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 PI.

Education and Certifications:
A masters degree in a relevant field (e.g. engineering biology chemistry biochemistry) or related experiences is required.

Experience and Skills:

Experience in mouse survival surgery is required.

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