Senior Research Assistant, Biomedical Engineering Job Opening

The Research Assistant, Senior is part of the Biomedical Engineering work unit within the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. The position is responsible for participating in experiments investigating the neural basis of cognitive functions, animal care, maintaining equipment stock, and basic protocol/administrative duties.

This position is unique as it has two main focal points: involves the overseeing of a human research project as well as assisting with animal experiments. The position will supervise and participate in experiments in alignment with the labs core function. It will assist with administrative duties with Standard Operating Procedures and other forms required by the department, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and veterinarian staff.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt is unique among biomedical engineering programs in its immediate proximity to the world class Vanderbilt Medical Center, located on our compact campus. Our School of Medicine is among the top ten in funding from the National Institutes of Health and includes a National Cancer Institute-recognized Comprehensive Cancer Center, a major children’s hospital and a Level I trauma center. This proximity and the strong relationships among faculty across multiple schools stimulate high impact research and provide unique educational and research opportunities for students.

• Daily care of laboratory animals, including administration of medicine as directed by veterinary staff
• Able to perform behavioral training and data capture as outlined in the experiment and within stipulations of the IACUC protocol
• Prepare and assist with any and all procedures listed in the IACUC protocols
• Supervise undergraduate students in the lab setting
• Assisting with maintaining the IRB protocol
• Knowledge and understanding of the implementation, coordination, management and reporting of clinical/translational research operations
• Participates in the informed consent process, ensuring that human subjects, their families, and other health care providers clearly understand what is expected of and from them in the course of participating in a clinical trial
• Knowledgeable of the safety reporting requirements of the study protocol, IRB, FDA and other regulatory bodies
• Mentorship and training of new graduate students and postdocs
• Contribute to IACUC/IRB personnel and protocol amendments
• Complete animal-associated paperwork in a timely and accurate fashion; review records frequently to avoid errors
• Maintain clear communication and establish trust with veterinary and care staff
• Understand protocols and follow guidelines consistently, with guidance when necessary
• Understand the function of each procedure with safe and efficient performance
• Request laboratory equipment and supplies as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships: This position will have some supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Professor.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
• A professional attitude, high level of motivation, initiative and good work ethic is required.
• An ability to maintain quality and safety standards is required.
• An ability to understand and follow complex, detailed technical instructions is required.
• Strong communication skills and collaboration are required.
• An ability to work independently with a high level of self-motivation is required.
• Hands-on experience in behavioral training and procedures involving non-human primates is required.
• A minimum experience requirement of 3-5 years is desired.
• Previous experience with IACUC and IRB is preferred.
• Computer and database skills are preferred.