RESEARCH ASSISTANT II

JOB SUMMARY:

Staff position needed in laboratory whose primary focus is studying inflammatory skin disease and inflammatory arthritis in mouse models.

This position requires a highly motivated individual with a track record of success of working in a lab environment with other scientists and staff and with mice.

Basic requirements are listed below:

• at least 2 years of prior experience working in a cell biology laboratory
• must have experience handling mice and be willing to work with mice and mouse colony management and maintenance
• must have previous experience working with mouse tissues
• high quality record-keeping including ongoing maintenance of a well-structured laboratory notebook and mouse colony breeding, husbandry, and inventory
• excellent organization skills
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• drive, focus and ability to set an efficient and productive agenda after guidance and with moderate supervision

With lab-specific training and under moderate supervision, this individual is expected to help design, and individually set up and conduct experiments, and contribute to ongoing research projects using established protocols, including collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data to the lab. Assist in other laboratory and research functions.

Department/Unit Summary:

Welcome to the Department of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We are proud of the cutting-edge research carried out by our faculty and trainees. The work ranges from basic science investigations in inflammation and autoimmunity, immunobiology, cutaneous imaging sciences, artificial intelligence, epidemiology, and cancer biology to clinical and translational research defining the current and future practice of dermatology. The department has a highly sought-after residency program and a fellowship in Moh's surgery.

Position Shift:

Day Shift/ Non-Exempt Position

POSITION: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

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Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals 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. It is a place where your diversity -- of culture, thinking, learning and leading -- is 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. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VUMC Recent Accomplishments

Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:

• US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children's Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.
• Healthcare's Most Wired: Among the nation's 100 "most-wired" hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.
• Becker's Hospital Review: named as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America", in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.
• The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children's hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.
• American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows
• Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.
• National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement
• Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6^th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is 50% mouse colony management, 20% laboratory maintenance and 30% laboratory research. General responsibilities include handling mice in regular housing, maintaining the mouse colony and assisting with mouse experiments. Laboratory techniques that will be performed are: collection of blood, dissection of the skin, skin draining lymph nodes, knee and hip joints, and other organs of interest from mice post mortem, prepare RNA and DNA from tissues, perform genotyping PCR analysis from DNA isolated from rodent tissues, quantitate and perform quality control of RNA and DNA isolated from rodent tissue, and interact with the behavior core and the imaging core to measure locomotive activity in mice and assess changes in their joints. Other techniques to be performed include cryosectioning mouse tissues and staining tissues with histological stains and using immunohistochemistry. Laboratory maintenance duties include organization and maintenance of the laboratory's breeding colony of genetically manipulated mice, assist in mouse experiments, maintain records of daily activities and experimental results, prepare common-use chemical solutions for experiments, assist with general lab cleaning duties including autoclaving, filling water containers and cleaning dishes.

• 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

Preferred Education, Skills, and Experiences:

Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology or a related field.

Minimum of 2 years experience working in a cell biology laboratory setting.

Prior experience in mouse handling and husbandry (at least 2 years).

Prior experience in basic cell biology techniques such as making solutions, isolating protein and RNA, DNA, and measuring concentrations of each.

Prior experience with PCR (real-time and conventional) and other basic molecular biology technology and sterile cell culture is highly desired.

Physical Requirements/Strengths needed & Physical Demands:




Movement


• Occasional: Sitting: Remaining in seated position
• Occasional: Standing: Remaining on one's feet without moving.
• Occasional: Walking: Moving about on foot.
• Occasional: Lifting under 35 lbs: Raising and lowering objects under 35 lbs from one level to another
• Occasional: Push/Pull: Exerting force to move objects away from or toward.
• Occasional: Bending/Stooping: Trunk bending downward and forward by bending spine at waist requiring full use of lower extremities and back muscles
• Occasional: Reaching below shoulders: Extending arms in any direction below shoulders.
• Occasional: Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hand or hands.


Sensory


• Occasional: Vision: Clarity of near vision at 20 inches or less and far vision at 20 feet or more with depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision.
• Occasional: Noise: May include exposure to occupational noise levels which equal or exceed an 8-hr time-weighted average of 85 decibels, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Hearing Conservation Program which includes training, use of hearing protection, and periodic audiometry.
• Continuous: Communication: Expressing or exchanging written/verbal/electronic information.


Environmental Conditions


• Occasional: Chemicals and Gasses: Medications, cleaning chemicals, oxygen, other medical gases used in work area.
• Occasional: Pathogens: Risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other contagious illnesses.