Research Assistant II

Isac Net; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health in Nashville, TN seeks a Research Assistant II to support day-to-day laboratory operations in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will culture cells, perform molecular biology techniques, and help document results with attention to detail.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and 2 years of molecular biology experience; preferred experience includes plasmid prep, cloning, DNA mutagenesis, and cultured mammalian cells.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum 2 years in molecular biology demonstrated.
• Preferred experience with plasmid prep, cloning and mammalian cells.

Responsibilities

• Set up and conduct experiments with careful documentation.
• Follow established protocols and report results clearly.
• Support day-to-day lab operations and inventory management.
• Prepare reagents and maintain equipment.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell culture

DNA preparation

PCR

Protein expression

Flow cytometry

Education

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)

2 years of molecular biology experience

Tools

Flow cytometer

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 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

PMI Molecular Pathogenesis

Job Summary

A laboratory in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology is seeking a Research Assistant II (RAII) to join our team. In this role, you'll be a key laboratory resource-supporting day-to-day operations while contributing directly to ongoing research projects in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

With moderate supervision, you will set up and conduct experiments, follow established protocols, and ensure accurate documentation and reporting of results (including any unexpected or variant findings). Your work will include:

• Culturing cells (eukaryotic and prokaryotic)
• Performing molecular biology techniques such as transformations, DNA preparation, PCR, and sequence analysis
• Expressing and purifying proteins
• Performing flow cytometry
• Preparing common reagents and solutions
• Supporting routine maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Managing inventory of reagents and supplies
• Assisting with other laboratory and research activities as needed

What we're looking for

You’ll thrive in this position if you bring strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly and work effectively as part of a dynamic research team.

Required

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)
• 2 years of experience in molecular biology

Preferred

• Experience with plasmid preparation, cloning, DNA mutagenesis, and cultured mammalian cells

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

You’ll join the Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics (VCAT)-recognized as one of the world's leading centers for antibody discovery and translational research focused on disease prevention. At the intersection of immunology and virology, our work levers computational advances to better understand antibody‑antigen interactions, design immunogens, and optimize antibodies for clinical use.

In the Georgiev laboratory, we use computational and structure‑based protein design approaches to address fundamental questions in immunology and virology and to develop new vaccine and antibody product candidates targeting viruses of biomedical importance.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic, interdisciplinary research team and contribute to impactful, translational science.

Schedule and location

Typical schedule is Monday‑Friday, daytime hours, with flexibility in your daily start/end time as long as responsibilities are met. May be occasional weekend work but anticipated work week is 40 hours.

This is an on‑site role working at VUMC Medical Research Building IV (MRB IV), 2215 Garland Ave., Nashville, TN.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under moderate supervision, conduct and evaluate experiments and assays
• Understand and follow experimental protocols (may include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.)
• Record, compile, interpret, and communicate data/results
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogens)
• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions
• Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot equipment in experimental procedures
• Read and follow all equipment manuals
• 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
• Demonstrate an understanding of acceptable procedures and techniques
• Recognize problems and suggest solutionsAssist in modifications as directed
• Provide appropriate written documentation of experiments
• Prepare preliminary research progress reports
• Summarize test results appropriately

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: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities

• Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.
• Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
• Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences.
• Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.
• Solve Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
• Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness.
• Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
• Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them.
• Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine a safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring.
• Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.
• Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.
• Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities.
• Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.
• Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short‑term challenges.
• Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

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.