Research Assistant - Epidemiology at Lensa Nashville, TN

Research Assistant 1 – Epidemiology

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is located in Nashville, Tennessee and operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. It is a community of individuals working together to change the world. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone can thrive, where uniqueness is celebrated, and where employees take pride in their work and strive for excellence.

Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Job Summary:

Provide, under direct supervision, support for specified research projects; collect, assess, and communicate data/results. Assist in general laboratory operation and inventory.

• Conducting research to enhance and expand our understanding of the distribution and determinants of disease
• Promoting collaboration aimed at translating research into cost‑effective strategies of disease prevention and health care delivery
• Training independent investigators in epidemiology research and disease prevention

Our faculty share a broad interest in the research of genetics, nutrition, and other lifestyle and environmental factors.

• 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 (e.g., blood gas analyzer, centrifuge, pH meter, spectrophotometer, autoclave, scintillation counter, electrophoresis unit, analytical balance)
• 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

• 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.

• Supporting Colleagues:
  Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities; builds and maintains relationships across areas.
• Communicates Effectively:
  Shares information openly and clearly in a courteous manner.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  Serves others with compassion, solves routine problems, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet standards.
• Fulfilling Safety and Regulatory Requirements:
  Demonstrates basic knowledge of safety conditions and reports unsafe conditions.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  Demonstrates accountability and stewardship of organizational resources.
• Fostering Innovation:
  Generates new ideas and adapts to change, applying technology and making data‑driven decisions.

Work Experience:

Relevant work experience (Less than 1 year)

Education:

Bachelor’s degree

Certifications:

None required

Experience Level: Less than 1 year

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.