Research Assistant 1 - ON SITE

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health is seeking a research technician to join the Patrick Laboratory at Vanderbilt Medical Center North. You will contribute to studies on post-transcriptional regulation shaping macrophage immune function, using RNA biology, molecular genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics.

The role involves on-site work Monday–Friday during daytime hours, with flexibility. You will perform cloning, RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, and protein analyses, and you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) required.
• Foundational molecular biology skills: cloning, RNA isolation, RT-qPCR, Western blot.
• Hands-on mammalian tissue culture required.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, run experiments, assays, and record results.
• Read and follow experimental protocols (may include animal handling, tissue culture).
• 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.
• Maintain and repair equipment according to manufacturer and university guidelines.
• Ensure Laboratory is prepared for experiments.
• Maintain inventories and sterile conditions as required.

Skills

Cloning

RNA isolation

RT-qPCR

Western blot

Mammalian tissue culture

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Centrifuge

pH meter

Spectrophotometer

Autoclave

Electrophoresis unit

Analytical balance

Job description

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 uniquenesscelebrated. 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:

PMI Molecular Pathogenesis

Job Summary:

Join the Patrick Laboratory, where you’ll explore how post‑transcriptional regulation shapes macrophage immune function. Our research is centered on understanding how RNA‑binding proteins and spliceosome components operate during pathogen sensing and innate immune activation. Using an interdisciplinary toolkit—immunology, RNA biology, molecular genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics—you’ll help uncover how macrophages generate immune responses that are rapid, robust, and precisely regulated.

Location & work schedule
You’ll work on site at Vanderbilt Medical Center North (5th floor, A wing). Your schedule will be primarily Monday–Friday during standard daytime business hours, and flexibility with hours is a plus.

What you’ll bring

You communicate clearly and professionally—both in writing and in conversation—and you’re comfortable taking initiative while also thriving as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary research team. You have foundational molecular biology skills, including:

• Cloning
• RNA isolation
• RT-qPCR
• Western blot analysis

You also have hands‑on experience with mammalian tissue culture (required).

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience)

Preferred qualifications

• Prior research laboratory experience

.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology offers a variety of post‑doctoral fellowship opportunities for individuals with the M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., or equivalent degree. Fellowships can be purely research‑oriented experiences, and opportunities for these positions can be found at Employment and Training Opportunities. In addition to postdoctoral research fellowships, the department offers fellowship opportunities combining advanced subspecialty clinical training with related research experience. For additional information, please visit https://www.vumc.org/pmi/.

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

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.

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’sStrategic Directions, the Office of Research providesshared research resources,administrative expertiseand professional guidance to enablethetrans‑disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training forall 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 mayinclude health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed tofosteringan environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.