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Organization:

Section Surgical Research

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY

The Research Assistant I is part of the Division of General Surgery within the Section of Surgical Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, working with a group studying the enteric nervous system, and will play a key role in contributing to research examining the post-natal maturation of the nervous system of the mesentery and intestine in mice and in humans. Project work will entail, but is not limited to, dissection of mouse tissues, immunohistochemistry with fluorescent microscopy, management of mouse colonies, and dissociation of tissues for flow sorting. Project responsibilities will include working closely with the P.I. and post-doctoral fellow to learn experimental techniques and perform experiments with graduated independence, managing mouse lines in a breeding colony including DNA isolation, genotyping, and timed matings, and helping to prepare data for analysis and publications. All laboratory members rotate through maintenance of items for laboratory operation and inventory stocking of supplies/reagents and general use buffers. The Research Assistant will interact with faculty, staff, and students within the laboratory.

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Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Conducts Wet Lab Experiments

• perform calculations involving molarities, % solutions, serial dilutions, and statistical analysis of experimental results.

• participate with maintenance of mouse breeding colony, including performing crosses, DNA isolation, and genotyping.

• perform analyses of mouse mesentery and intestine using transgenic mouse lines

• dissociate and prepare tissues for flow-sorting

• prepare RNA isolates from flow-sorted cell populations

• possibility of training to work with human tissue specimens depending on project needs

• assist in laboratory operation and inventory maintenance on a rotating basis with other team members such as stocking lab supplies, reagents, and buffers

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s 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 Health’s Strategic Directions , the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff.

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education :

Bachelor's

Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled