The Research Assistant is part of the Basic Sciences Pod 3 in the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for setting up, conducting experiments, reporting data, and continuing research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. Assists in other laboratory and research functions. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Assistant works with faculty, staff, and key internal/external stakeholders.
Every major advance in medicine starts with fundamental discoveries that teach us how living organisms work in both health and disease. These discoveries are made in biomedical sciences laboratories that study life at all levels from the individual molecules that encode heredity to the complex associations of cells that form tissues and organs. Vanderbilt Basic Sciences is a tightly integrated research and education division within the School of Medicine comprising four academic departments, eight interdisciplinary centers, twenty-seven service core facilities, and the Office of Biomedical Research, Education, and Training.
Our team of over 1000 faculty, fellows, students, and staff is making new discoveries every day - discoveries that enrich our understanding of biological processes and provide the foundation for new insights into the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or similar field from an accredited institution of higher education is highly preferred.
• Experience in handling small animals preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Exceptional laboratory technique (highly accurate and efficient pipetting)
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and quality control
• Strong in basic math and common scientific unit conversions
• Rapid and efficient communicator via email; works well in a team setting
• Comfortable with close, safe handling of mammalian biological fluids/tissues
• Prior experience with in vivo experiments is preferred
• Familiarity with the basics of Microsoft Excel
• Ability to clearly communicate research results, ideas, and concerns
  General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member :

DRIVE & GRIT : Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.

• Perspective – Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
• Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better - places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience – Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability – Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflict

ENGAGED : Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.

• Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one’s personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
• Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission
• Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instruction

COACHING, DEVELOPMENT & TEAM FOCU S: Leads by example, works to ensure that members of the team have the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge to be successful.

• Ensures that team members have the tools and resources to do the job
• Praises publicly; is genuinely appreciative of the accomplishments of members of the team
• Willingly shares expertise with team members; actively coaches
• Is clear with the deliverables and outcomes needed, but allows members of the team to tackle the problems in the way they see fit, without micromanaging every process; understands that the destination – rather than the exact route – is what’s important
• Cares about their employees as people, not just as “resources”
• Makes this a fun place to work; Enhances comradery, builds trust, and invites members of the work group to be their authentic selvesAddresses problems among the workgroup when they arise, rather than letting them feste

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General:
Under limited supervision, set up, conduct experiments, report data, and continue in vivo research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. Assist in other laboratory and research functions. Help with the training of new personnel.

Specific:

• Start working day no later than 6 AM.
• May have to come to work on week-ends.
• Conduct or assist with a multitude of in vivo DMPK assays.
• Record, compile, interpret, and communicate data/results.
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, biohazardous materials and fluids/tissues, and/or carcinogens).
• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions.Handle small animals and prepare them for DMPK experiments.Administer small molecule compounds PO, IP or IV.
• Draw blood at specific time points and prepare plasma for shipping to DMPK lab.
• Collect samples of tissue, urine, or other organic substance as requested by DMPK lab.
• Conducts observations of physiological or behavioral findings on small animals.
• Periodically aliquot, label, and distribute liquid stocks of small molecule compounds.
• Serve as logistical coordinator for shipping and receiving of compounds and samples.
• Maintain up to date, accurate, and standardized records of experiments/assays.
• Assist with general laboratory operations, including ordering supplies and consumables.
• Perform other duties as assigned; assist DMPK lab members with miscellaneous tasks.
• Maintain inventory of consumables, clean glassware/lab space, prepare and aliquot stock solutions. Assist in the efficient operation of the lab.
• Help maintain the instruments.
• Help in the training of new personnel.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and lifting moderate weights. Tasks will also require fine motor skills and coordination (hand/eye coordination) and involve repetitive motions.

Supervisory Relationships :
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; the position reports administratively and functionally to the Principal Investigator.

ACCOUNTABILITY :

Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well; doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes

COLLABORATION : Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers’ needs.

• Optimism – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn’t bring their own personal “little black clouds” into the work environment
• Teamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits
• Honest and Transparent – Is authentic and forthright
• Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate

COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.

• Shares – Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that “knowledge is power” is less effective than “sharing knowledge is power.” Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully
• Is Nice – Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener - smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical
• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately – When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, “pretend your children are watching” how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
• Responds Promptly – Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren’t returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response

DRIVE & GRIT : Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.

• Perspective – Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
• Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better - places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience – Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability – Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts

ENGAGED : Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.

• Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one’s personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
• Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission
• Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions

JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN : Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes, exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro, and works to ensure others are able to do the same.

• Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
• Maturity - Exhibits professional maturity; doesn’t pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn’t engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
• Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes
• Assumes the Best – Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don’t know what someone does, it doesn’t mean they’re not doing anything

Additional Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Leader :

ACCOUNTABILITY & EXECUTION : Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Holds everyone in the workgroup accountable for accomplishing the outcomes of the unit.
• Pitches in to help the team when it really needs help
• Communicates early and often, even as information is evolving
• Is willing to learn from their fellow group members.

• Welcomes inquiry and recognizes mistakes as learning opportunitiesThinks creatively when tackling a challenge; questions the status quo in search of better ways. Looks for insights, assesses risks

COACHING, DEVELOPMENT & TEAM FOCU S: Leads by example, works to ensure that members of the team have the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge to be successful.

• Ensures that team members have the tools and resources to do the job
• Praises publicly; is genuinely appreciative of the accomplishments of members of the team
• Willingly shares expertise with team members; actively coaches
• Is clear with the deliverables and outcomes needed, but allows members of the team to tackle the problems in the way they see fit, without micromanaging every process; understands that the destination – rather than the exact route – is what’s important
• Cares about their employees as people, not just as “resources”

• Makes this a fun place to work; Enhances comradery, builds trust, and invites members of the work group to be their authentic selvesAddresses problems among the workgroup when they arise, rather than letting them fester

DECISION MAKING & DIRECTION SETTING : Takes responsibility for and make effective decisions through understanding the needs of the institution, collaborating and communicating, and identifying the strategic and operational imperatives of the university.

• Makes decisions, even in the face of incomplete information, rather than avoiding making decisions.
• Seeks first to understand before making decisions; doesn’t act first and ask questions later; solicits input from a diverse group of others including members of the work group, others stakeholders, and naysayers/critics, when faced with complex challenges, before making a decision. Identifies options and homes in on pros and cons of each option; Lets others know where they are in their decision-making process
• Shares a clear vision for the work of the unit, and is clear about what outcomes are expected.
• Provides clear guidance and direction, doesn’t change direction with the wind; communicates in ways that are clear and succinct, rather than confusing or ambiguous
• Champions the work unit’s cause, and makes compelling business cases for its needs
• Is willing to course-correct if things aren’t going as planned, even after decisions have been made and communicated