Research Assistant I

Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Role Summary:

Provide, under direct supervision, support for specified research projects; collect, assess, and communicate data/results. Assist in general laboratory operation and inventory.

Your Role:

Research Focus:

Eye diseases involving a critical tissue in the eye, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), can lead to vision loss due to degeneration, inflammation and injury. This can occur in Macular Degeneration and pathological proliferation resulting in detrimental loss of RPE cells. Our goal is to prevent degenerative changes by stimulating replenishment of lost RPE cells within the intact eye, using mouse as a model. We apply pharmacological and genetic approaches to modulate signaling pathways as a strategy for developing novel therapies.

We are looking forward to working with a highly motivated individual who can collaborate with other team members in the lab and who exhibits a high level of technical expertise as well as professionalism, dedication, reliability, and intellectual curiosity. A minimum commitment of 2 years is required for this position.

Key Responsibilities and Expected Performances:

• Under minimal supervision, plan and conduct complex experiments, analyze data, prepare reports, and archive data.
  • Plan and coordinate experiments in conjunction with Principal Investigator (PI).
  • Process and analyze data demonstrating keen analytical and problem-solving skills.

• • Understand and follow experimental protocols and competently perform any required assays (may include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.)
  • Accurately record/document, compile, organize, and communicate data/results.
  • Follow University safety protocols (may include use of toxic and hazardous materials, and/or carcinogens).
  • Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions.
  • Perform data analysis and create graphs/reports.
  • Operate and maintain equipment, and, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions throughout the execution of all research projects associated with the lab.
  • Recommend equipment and supplies needed for research projects.
  • Familiarize with equipment operations and manuals.
  • Set up, maintain, troubleshoot and arrange to repair equipment according to manufacturer and Vanderbilt University guidelines.
  • Ensure laboratory is prepared for experiments
  • Procure, organize and prepare lab supplies needed to complete the work
  • Maintain inventories.
  • Maintain sterile conditions as required.
  • Prepare reagents.
  • Assist PI in modifying procedures and techniques.
  • Recognize problems and suggest solutions, assist in modifications.
  • Recommend improvements to established techniques and/or protocols (troubleshooting).
  • Maintain personal knowledge of scientific trends through literature reviews.
  • Provide appropriate written/oral documentation of experiments.
  • Effectively communicate in oral and written formats.
  • Prepare research progress reports.
  • Analyze, interpret, and summarize test results.
  • Assist in the effective operation of the laboratory.
  • Train other employees.
  • Supervise projects and/or personnel.
  • Serve as a liaison to other Vanderbilt Medical School Departments, Divisions and core facilities such as: Division of Animal Care (DAC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Vanderbilt Environmental Health and Safety (VEHS) etc, to ensure compliance of laboratory practices and procedures with University, local and federal rules and regulations.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent experience) and 1 year significant bench work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with laboratory mice and/or zebrafish
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to learn and understand new techniques
• Experience in an academic research lab.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated ability to communicate research findings through publication in high impact, peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national meetings.
• Preference will be given to individuals who want to establish themselves in a stable long employment relationship with the laboratory and who are interested in continued professional development.

Laboratory skills that are sought include:

• Breeding mice and working with animal models of human disease.
• Histology: cryo-sectioning, immunohistochemistry, imaging.
• Cellular and molecular biology: transfections, qRT-PCR, genotyping.
• Cell/Tissue cultures: cell cultures and in-vitro cell assays.
• Toxicity/pharmacokinetic assays using pathway modulators (inhibitors/activators).

Examples of lab assays

• In-vivo:
  • Mouse colony management (breeding and genotyping mice)
  • Live ocular imaging and functional assays (optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, electroretinogram (ERG))
  • Mouse models of retinal disease (RPE-specific cell ablation in combination with genetic models or pharmacological treatment)

Position Shift:

Varied Shift ; Weekend or after-hours work may be required, as needed

Department/Unit Summary:

At the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, we strive to make life better for adults and children with eye conditions including glaucoma, vision loss and diseases of the retina. We treat patients from across Tennessee and the Southeast. Our doctors, researchers and support staff use the latest technologies and methods, and we conduct vital vision research that translates to better treatments.

The Vanderbilt Eye Institute is a leader in quality eye care. We offer the latest technologies and methods while conducting innovative research to improve patients' lives and prevent vision loss.

Click here to learn more about the Vanderbilt Eye Institute

We work hard each day because your eyes are important to us.

The Vanderbilt Eye Institute attracts some of the most talented doctors and researchers in the country. Our subspecialty ophthalmologists have completed a minimum of one year of fellowship training after residency and are board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Vanderbilt Eye Institute's award-winning research staff collaborates with our doctors as well as other Vanderbilt departments to pursue discoveries that enhance the vision of patients everywhere.

Click here to view how Vanderbilt Health employees celebrated the difference they make each and every day: Celebrate 2019

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 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.