Research Assistant 1 – Mashayekhi Lab (Term Position

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center :
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated.

It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization Diabetes/Endocrinology

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

Department Summary The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism has a rich tradition of clinical, investigative and training excellence. With over 70 faculty and staff members, the division participates in a wide range of clinical programs and clinical and basic science research. Training the next generation of physicians and scientists is one of our main missions and involves programs in Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine, as well as funded T32 and T35 training programs.

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.

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 Supporting Colleagues:

- 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. Delivering Excellent Services:

- Serves Others with Compassion:
Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.

- Solves 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. Ensuring High Quality: – 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…