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.

Hematology/Oncology

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.

• 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)

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.

• 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,…