Research Assistant 1

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

Section Surgical Research

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY A Research Assistant 1 position is available in the Department of Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to support the laboratory of Dr. Robb Flynn. Under direct supervision, this individual will support a broad portfolio of translational and clinical research spanning metabolic disease, obesity, and diabetes. The role is intentionally structured as an entry-level position on a defined path toward becoming a Clinical Study Coordinator: the successful candidate will contribute to day-to-day laboratory operations and clinical sample handling while progressively taking on clinical study organization and implementation responsibilities. Training and mentorship will be provided to develop the regulatory, coordination, and specimen-management skills required to advance within the clinical research career ladder.

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Key Responsibilities – Laboratory & Specimen Support

• Under supervision, conduct and record experiments and assays in support of ongoing lab activities.
• Read, understand, and follow experimental protocols (may include tissue culture and specimen handling).
• Perform ordering and purchasing of laboratory reagents, consumables, and supplies; maintain inventories.
• Prepare reagents and perform calculations involving molarity, percent solutions, and serial dilutions.
• Perform clinical sample preparation and processing (blood, serum, urine), including aliquoting, labeling, and storage.
• Perform tissue sample preparation and processing, including handling of muscle biopsy and other tissue specimens for downstream analyses.
• Retrieve, transport, and process clinical and tissue specimens from the operating rooms and clinical areas, maintaining chain-of-custody and biorepository logs.
• Prepare, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory equipment according to manufacturer and University guidelines; ensure the lab is prepared for experiments.
• Follow all University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, toxic materials, and/or carcinogens); training in bloodborne pathogens and operating-room access procedures will be provided.
• Compile, interpret, and communicate data and results; provide written documentation and preliminary progress reports.

Key Responsibilities – Clinical Study Organization (Coordinator Track)

With training and increasing independence, the Research Assistant 1 will support the organization and implementation of clinical studies, building the foundational skills of a Clinical Study Coordinator:

• Complete CITI, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and human-subjects research training (provided).
• Assist, under supervision, with preparation and processing of IRB submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and adverse-event reports.
• Support participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, and coordination of study visits.
• Enter and manage study data using REDCap and the Epic/eStar research environment, with attention to accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Maintain source documentation and assist in resolving data queries.
• Assist with maintenance and organization of regulatory binders and study documentation for internal review and for regulatory authorities and/or sponsors.
• Procure equipment and supplies needed to fulfill study requirements.

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

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

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.