Research Assistant 1 – Translational Oncology

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:

Hematology/Oncology

Job Summary:

Under moderate supervision, this individual is expected to set up, conduct investigations and support clinical translational research projects/studies in the Holowatyj Laboratory and Team. The Research Assistant is expected to follow protocols, including biospecimen processing, handling, storage; and standard operating procedures, appropriate recording of scientific data and results, as well as all regulations for human subjects research. This Research Assistant position will also assist in other laboratory and clinical study functions, including daily research operations. This individual will be expected to support study conduct and procedures, as well as support biospecimen processing, storage, management, and experimentation in the laboratory as related to ongoing clinical trial initiatives.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Computer Sciences, Biochemistry or another
  relevant scientific discipline (or equivalent experience) (Required)

• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, team player, and
  demonstrated research laboratory skills (Required)

• Prior wet lab experience (Required)

• Clinical research experience in oncology setting (Preferred)

• Experience with and proficiency using REDCap EDC software (Preferred)

• Coding experience (Preferred)

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

The Department of Medicine is committed to pioneering research that leads to new discoveries and advancements in human health. Spread across 13 divisions and 20 research centers, our basic, translational and clinical research programs are led by highly skilled investigators across all specialties of medicine.

Our research portfolio is comprised of numerous training, individual and collaborative grants that continue to lead discovery science into the future. Consistent with our excellent funding, our faculty are among some of the most highly cited researchers in medicine, with publications in prestigious journals such as JAMA, Nature and The New England Journal of Medicine. Our clinical research team manages mid- and large-scale clinical trials in a dedicated clinical research center space.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conveys a basic knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures, and regulations governing human subjects research and incorporates them in the conduct of laboratory research

• Exhibits the capability to understand and follow a clinical/translational study protocol, obtaining training and seeking assistance when needed, to safely and accurately perform or assess required protocol procedures. Uses coordination skills and works collaboratively with other staff and departments/institutions to complete research protocols, including performing study procedures

• Ensures Laboratory is consistently prepared for biospecimen processing and experimentation in a timely manner

• Under moderate supervision, supports the research team through biospecimen receipt, processing, storage, and tracking within the Holowatyj Lab Biorepository

• Supports Holowatyj Laboratory Biorepository and databases with awareness and attention to the requirements for accuracy, completeness and timeliness. Takes initiative and attends to query resolution in a timely manner

• Performs ongoing checks of biospecimen data that has been entered into the Biorepository database and supports expansion of the Biorepository and other databases through instrument creation/development

• Handles all sample kit preparations and related tasks in the Holowatyj Lab per standard operating procedures

• Coordinates with all institutional and external partners for the procurement and transport of biospecimens/tissues for the Lab’s ongoing clinical trials and collaborative efforts

• Assists with receipt and organization of metadata from VUMC cores or external institutions for storage within the Holowatyj Lab, in accordance with appropriate privacy guidelines and regulations, maintaining appropriate documentation and confidentiality

• Under moderate supervision, conducts and evaluates experiments/assays for research as they are described in standard operating protocols in the lab, adhering to all scientific practices and maintaining appropriate written documentation of experiments

• Exhibits competence with regard to laboratory bench skills/processes (e.g., manual pipetting, DNA extraction protocols, PCR/RT-qPCR, solution preparation, and cell culture) under sterile conditions

• Prepares, maintains, operates and troubleshoots equipment in experimental procedures

• Records/organizes data from source documentation with awareness and attention to the requirements for accuracy, completeness and timeliness. Attends to query resolution in a timely manner. Assures research information is collected and stored in a manner that is compliant with regulations/policies and good clinical practice

• Assists the Principal Investigator in the development of Laboratory/data protocols and scientific tasks as needed; Coordinates activities and gathers information from a variety of sources to achieve Laboratory goals and outcomes

• Collaboratively participates in study team meetings, maintaining open and positive communications with all individuals and interactions

• Recognizes problems and suggest solutions, assisting in modifications as directed; actively identifies and participates in training, education, and development activities to improve own knowledge and performance to sustain and enhance professional development. Pursues avenues to continue education (i.e., in-services, seminars, etc.)

• Demonstrates initiative for continuous learning, both self-directed and as evidenced by attendance of educational and professional development opportunities. Actively seek new learning opportunities, seeing learning as part of work

• Follows all institutional safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogens)

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.