Lab Teaching Assistant - Biological Sciences

Vanderbilt; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University’s Department of Biological Sciences seeks a Lab Teaching Staff to support introductory biology labs (BSCI 1510L, 1511L, 1512L). You will design lab activities, prepare reagents, and guide undergraduate students and teaching assistants in a collaborative, professional environment.

The role involves teaching multiple lab sections, maintaining safety and organization, managing grades in Brightspace/TopHat, and coordinating with course coordinators to ensure high educational

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Lab and/or teaching experience is preferred.
• Ability to manage time and plan work.
• Able to follow written or verbal instructions.
• Experience with basic lab equipment and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement engaging lab activities aligned with learning objectives.
• Teach two or more sections of Intro Biology Lab courses each semester.
• Prepare reagents and lab materials following safety practices.
• Manage grades, content, quizzes, and tests in Brightspace/TopHat.
• Address re-grade requests and maintain organized inventory.
• Administer online quizzes and transfer grades between platforms.
• Schedule office hours and respond promptly to inquiries.
• Maintain and sterilize lab equipment and surfaces.
• Coordinate shared lab space and purchases.

Skills

Time management

Ability to follow instructions

Teamwork

Lab measurement

Calculations for mixing

Molecular biology techniques

Statistics basics

R

Microsoft Office

Web-based collaboration tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Brightspace/TopHat

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION The Lab Teaching Staff is part of the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for assisting in the education of students in multiple major disciplines, primarily Pre-Health Professional. This position has staff persons to teach, develop coursework, and to implement the overall Academic Goals of the Department and University. Lab Teaching Staff allow the Course Coordinator to maintain a consistent level of education across all lab sections of each of the Introductory Biology Laboratory courses offered. Reporting directly to the Course Coordinator, the Lab Teaching Staff, interact directly with undergraduate students, graduate students, Introductory Biology Laboratory Faculty, Departmental Faculty, and may have interactions outside of the Department with other schools within Vanderbilt University, and abroad to other institutions on a daily basis. The Lab Teaching Staff will be responsible for implementing the directives of the Course Coordinator. The Lab Teaching Staff will both teach multiple sections within the Introductory Biology Laboratory courses, and prepare all of the chemical reagents and laboratory equipment needed for any given experiment. Additionally, the Lab Teaching Staff is responsible for responding to student and TA inquiries both inside and outside of the laboratory and offering guidance to graduate teaching assistants. Ultimately, the Lab Teaching Staff is responsible for the success of the following Introductory Laboratory Biology Courses: BSCI 1510L, 1511L, and 1512L. The Lab Teaching Staff will work with other team members in a progressive, communal, and professional atmosphere that encourages innovation and progress while consistently maintaining a high standard to keep the Introductory Biology Laboratory courses operating at a high level of educational outreach for the development of undergraduates. The Department of Biological Sciences has an excellent staff to facilitate issue resolution involving personnel, financial management, supply and equipment orders proposal submission, and infrastructure. The faculty in the department carry out diverse research projects and often collaborate with other members within the department and in nearby departments. This department covers a broad spectrum of biology, from molecules and cells to tissues and organisms to populations and ecosystems. Award-winning faculty and graduate students teach and carry out research in Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Biophysics, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Developmental Biology, and Neurobiology.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Course Coordinator to design and implement laboratory activities that will emphasize key learning objectives for the courses taught.
• Teach two or more sections of Introductory Biology Laboratory courses (BSCI 1510L, 1511L, 1512L) for majors each semester. This includes mentoring students conducting a laboratory research experiment in BSCI 1510L and designing/implementing an introductory level research project in BSCI 1512L.
• Work in a laboratory setting to make necessary chemical and biological reagents for laboratory experiments using sterile and safe laboratory practices.
• Involved in information management (grades, creation and maintenance of content, quizzes, and tests in Brightspace/TopHat course learning platforms).
• Work with Lab Course Coordinator to attend to all re-grade requests for student assignments.
• Keep a well-organized inventory of laboratory equipment and chemicals used in the Introductory Biology Laboratories.
• Administer online quizzes to students in all sections of Introductory Biology Laboratory courses offered using the online platform TopHat.
• Transfer student grades from the TopHat platform to Brightspace.
• Schedule and hold office hours during each semester.
• Respond to student inquiries and in a prompt and professional manner.
• Routinely clean and repair equipment within the laboratory to maintain optimal performance.
• Clean and sterilize laboratory equipment and hard surfaces on a regular basis.
• Work with personnel within the Department of Biological Sciences to coordinate shared laboratory space.
• Work with personnel within the Department of Biological Sciences office on a regular basis to coordinate laboratory purchases and other special requests.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree is necessary.
• A Master's degree is preferred.
• Lab experience and/or teaching experience is preferred.
• Able to manage time and plan what needs to be done.
• Able to accurately follow written or verbal instructions.
• Flexible and able to work cooperatively with others.
• Experience measuring with basic laboratory equipment.
• Able to perform calculations necessary for mixing solutions.
• Familiar with basic cell and molecular biology equipment and techniques.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based tools for collaboration and communication.
• Basic competence with statistics; experience with R preferred.

ABOUT US

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strides to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice. We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.