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Organization:

PMI Molecular Pathogenesis

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY

Research Assistant II is needed in a laboratory whose primary focus is studying host-microbiota interactions during intestinal inflammation.

This position requires a highly motivated individual with a track record of success.

Basic requirements are listed below:

• excellent oral and written communication skills.

• high quality record-keeping including ongoing maintenance of a well-structured laboratory notebook and laboratory inventory.

• excellent organization skills.

• drive, focus and ability to set an efficient and productive agenda after guidance

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is 70% laboratory maintenance and 30% laboratory research. General responsibilities include: handling mice in both regular and germ-free housing, dissection of the spleen, liver, and intestines from mice post-mortem, preparing protein, RNA, and DNA from tissues, performing genotyping PCR analysis from DNA isolated from rodent tissues and feces, quantitating and perform quality control of protein, RNA and DNA isolated from rodent tissue, perform western blot analysis of protein samples and prepare RNA and DNA libraries for high throughput sequencing and qPCR, subclone DNA fragments into vectors, transform bacteria, plate bacteria for quantitation, and work with bacterial samples in an anaerobic chamber. Laboratory maintenance duties include organization and maintenance of a substantial portion of the laboratory’s breeding colony of genetically manipulated and germ-free mice, inventory supplies, anticipating supply needs, and re-order when necessary, maintaining records of daily activities and experimental results, preparing common-use chemical solutions for experiments, change gas cylinders for anaerobe chamber and assist with general lab cleaning duties including autoclaving, filling water containers and cleaning dishes.

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: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

2 years

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