Research Assistant I-ALS Wet Lab Technician

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:

Neurology Admin 20

Job Summary:

The Vanderbilt ALS Research Center (VARC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Laboratory Technician to support research within a dynamic and collaborative environment. This role is ideal for an early-career candidate with foundational training in molecular and cellular biology who is eager to gain hands-on experience and progressively develop independence in a translational research setting.
The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing projects focused on neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS and related disorders. This position offers exposure to a wide range of experimental techniques, access to unique patient-derived samples and cellular models, and the opportunity to grow within a team that values rigor, mentorship, and continuous learning.

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Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine molecular and cellular biology experiments under supervision, following established protocols with precision and attention to detail.
• Conduct nucleic acid and protein extraction from biological samples, including tissues, biofluids, and cultured cells.
• Maintain and culture immortalized cell lines and/or primary cells (e.g., fibroblasts), ensuring proper technique and documentation.
• Assist with standard assays such as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), ELISA, and immunofluorescence staining.
• Prepare reagents, maintain laboratory supplies, and support general laboratory organization and operations.
• Record experimental procedures and results accurately, contributing to data organization and quality control.
• Identify basic technical issues and assist in routine troubleshooting and protocol optimization under guidance.
• Collaborate effectively with team members and participate in maintaining a productive and safe laboratory environment.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or a related field (or equivalent laboratory experience).
• Foundational knowledge of molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Familiarity with basic laboratory practices, including pipetting, sample handling, and sterile technique.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow protocols accurately and maintain clear, well-documented records.
• Willingness to learn new techniques and grow within a research environment.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior hands-on experience with nucleic acid and protein extraction methods.
• Experience with cell culture, including immortalized cell lines and/or primary cells.
• Familiarity with qPCR, RT-PCR, ELISA, and/or immunofluorescence assays.
• Exposure to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture.
• Basic data handling skills, including organizing results and recognizing technical variability.
• Interest in neurodegenerative disease research and translational science.

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.