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. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness 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.

Organization:

VICC 140

Job Summary:

This is a two-year program running from August 2025 to August 2027. In addition to submitting your most recent resume, please also provide the following documents when submitting your application:

•     One-page personal statement describing your career goals and interest in the program to be submitted to [email protected] (do not attach to application)
•     Copy of college transcript (does not need to be official) to be submitted to [email protected] (do not attach to application)
•     Two letters of recommendation from prior educators and/or employers to be submitted to [email protected] (do not attach to application) with the applicant’s name as the subject line


Preferred Qualifications:
• Individuals with bachelor’s degrees from nationally accredited colleges or universities who desire to pursue doctoral degrees and careers in science or medicine, with a focus on cancer.
• Ability to commit to the full-time, 2-year program which runs from August 2025 – August 2027 in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Individuals who are interested in pursuing doctoral degrees and careers in science or medicine, with a focus on cancer, will benefit most from the program.

Vanderbilt Education Research and Training in Cancer and Leadership (VERTICAL) Program:
The VERTICAL Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center provides a unique training experience that builds upon Vanderbilt’s extraordinary record of research, training, and fostering diversity in biomedical science with the goal of promoting a pathway to cancer research and medicine careers for post-baccalaureate fellows who are underrepresented in science and medicine (URM). The program’s specific objectives are to provide:
1. Mentored research experiences for URM individuals with bachelor’s degrees
2. A robust and individualized curriculum to support participants in acquiring the knowledge and skills to pursue higher education leading to future careers in cancer research or medicine
3. Opportunities for community engagement to support a community of practice
VERTICAL fellows participate in an in-person, 2-year program of mentored basic, clinical/translational, and/or population science cancer research, cancer education, professional development, and community outreach activities. The overall program activities are individually tailored to meet the needs of each VERTICAL fellow:
Benefits:
Leveraging the strengths of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, this paid program will immerse you in a research laboratory for 2 years working with a Vanderbilt faculty member on a cutting-edge cancer research project.
Participants will receive a stipend and benefits. Through this program you will gain the knowledge, skills, and community to further your career in cancer research or medicine.
In addition to your research, fellows will participate in:

• Responsible Conduct in Research training
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) coursework
• Individualized research development plan
• Introduction to Cancer Biology course
• Clinical Cancer Medicine course
• GRE or MCAT preparatory course
• Meharry Medical College (MMC)-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University (TSU) Cancer Partnership (MVTCP) online modules
• Cancer Biology Science Hour presentation
• VICC Annual Scientific Retreat, MVTCP retreat, and other retreats
• Scientific conferences
• Career Path Lunch & Learn Sessions
• Online resources from Vanderbilt University, Nature Masterclass, and the National Institute of Health
• URM program student mentorship
• Science & Community Impact Talks
• Volunteer opportunities


This position will report to a member of the VICC Research Administration team and will have a full-time placement in a Vanderbilt faculty member’s laboratory conducting cancer research. In addition to conducting research assignments and attending weekly laboratory meetings, the position will be responsible for actively participating in various educational and community engagement activities as part of a community of practice that includes: an Introduction to Cancer Biology course, Professional Skills Development as part of an Individualized Growth Plan (IGP), quarterly Community Engagement Sessions, GRE/MCAT course prep, Career Path Lunch and Learn series, community service work, mentorship of high school and undergraduate students, and attending scientific retreats and meetings.

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

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Under supervision, run experiments, assays, and record results
• Read and follow experimental protocols (May include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.)
• Compile and communicate results to supervisor
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogenics)
• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions
• Prepare and operate equipment in experimental procedures
• May include blood gas analyzer, centrifuge, pH meter, spectrophotometer, autoclave, scintillation counter, electrophoresis unit, analytical balance, etc.
• 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
• Clean equipment.

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: 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 is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.