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Organization:

Pediatric Infectious Disease

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY

The Laboratory of Dr. Ogden in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases has an opening for a Research Assistant I to investigate virus-cell interactions. We study the tropism and genetic diversity of double-stranded RNA viruses of the Reoviridae family, including rotavirus and reovirus. Rotavirus is an important cause of diarrheal disease that results in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of infants and young children worldwide each year. Reovirus is rarely associated with human disease but has oncolytic properties.

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As a Research Assistant I, you will be expected, under supervision, to set up and conduct experiments and continue research projects following protocols, including the appropriate recording of data and results. You will also assist in other laboratory and research functions, as described below.  Prior experience with molecular biology (PCR, cloning, sequencing) or tissue culture would be beneficial but is not required. 

Responsibilities

Under direct supervision, the research assistant will:

• Ensure laboratory is prepared for experiments
• Provide experimental and technical support for ongoing research projects
• Conduct experimental procedures, potentially including PCR-based cloning, transfection, cell culture, virus infectivity and growth assays, nucleic acid isolation, and microscopy
• Collect and analyze data from experimental procedures and discuss results with the principal investigator and other laboratory members
• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions
• Document experimental results and maintain an organized laboratory notebook.
• Assist in general laboratory operation, such as preparation of stock solutions and other reagents
• Assist with monitoring and stocking lab inventory
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, including maintaining, cleaning, and repairing equipment, according to manufacturer and university guidelines
• Comply with biosafety training and protocols

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Core Accountabilities:

• Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact 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 skills by identifying development opportunities
• Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues’ priorities and 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.

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

Less than 1 year

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the sciences

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