Research Assistant 1 - PMI - ON SITE

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PMI Molecular Pathogenesis

Join the Patrick Laboratory, where you'll explore how post-transcriptional regulation shapes macrophage immune function. Our research is centered on understanding how RNA-binding proteins and spliceosome components operate during pathogen sensing and innate immune activation. Using an interdisciplinary toolkit-immunology, RNA biology, molecular genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics-you'll help uncover how macrophages generate immune responses that are rapid, robust, and precisely regulated.

You’ll work on site at Vanderbilt Medical Center North (5th floor, A wing). Your schedule will be primarily Monday-Friday during standard daytime business hours, and flexibility with hours is a plus.

You communicate clearly and professionally-both in writing and in conversation-and you're comfortable taking initiative while also thriving as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary research team.

You have foundational molecular biology skills, including:

• Cloning
• RNA isolation
• RT-qPCR
• Western blot analysis

You also have hands-on experience with mammalian tissue culture (required).

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)

Prior research laboratory experience

The Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology offers a variety of post-doctoral fellowship opportunities for individuals with the M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., or equivalent degree. Fellowships can be purely research-oriented experiences, and opportunities for these positions can be found at Employment and Training Opportunities. In addition to postdoctoral research fellowships, the department offers fellowship opportunities combining advanced subspecialty clinical training with related research experience.

For additional information, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• 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.

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.

• 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.
• 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…