Staff Scientist, Senior

The Senior Staff Scientist is part of the Biomedical Engineering research program at Vanderbilt University and is a senior individual contributor responsible for independently advancing complex experimental research programs in cell and molecular bioengineering. This position provides scientific and technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects at the interface of mammalian cell engineering, synthetic biology, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling.

The Senior Staff Scientist will independently design, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot research studies while working closely with the principal investigator to establish project strategy and priorities. The individual will lead technically demanding experimental efforts, help develop new capabilities within the laboratory, and provide scientific guidance and mentorship to junior researchers. The successful candidate will contribute substantively to manuscripts, grant applications, presentations, collaborations, and the translation of research objectives into rigorous experimental programs.

The role requires a high degree of scientific judgment, initiative, accountability, and independence.

About the Work Unit:

The laboratory is a multidisciplinary research group in Vanderbilt University's Department of Biomedical Engineering. Its research combines cell and molecular engineering, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine to develop new approaches for understanding and treating disease. Team members work across disciplinary boundaries and collaborate with researchers in engineering, basic science, and medicine. The work unit values scientific rigor, reliability, clear communication, thoughtful collaboration, and the development of new technical and intellectual capabilities.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
• Independently design and execute rigorous and reproducible experimental studies addressing defined research objectives in mammalian cell engineering, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling.
• Exercise sound scientific judgment and professional acumen in developing experimentalstrategy, selecting appropriate models and controls, interpreting complex or ambiguous results, prioritizing research activities, evaluating technical and scientific risk, and recommending scientifically justified next steps.
• Lead the development, optimization, validation, and documentation of new experimental methods and research capabilities.
• Model persistence, adaptability, and continuous improvement by working constructively through complex scientific and technical challenges, identifying creative approaches when established methods are insufficient, and establishing robust, reproducible workflows for use by the broader research team.
• Provide technical and scientific leadership for studies involving mammalian cells, engineered cells, stem cells, primary cells, and/or preclinical disease models.
• Contribute complementary expertise to the laboratory; experience with in vivo models of neurological/neurodegenerative or musculoskeletal disease is particularly valuable.
• Demonstrate accountability for assigned research programs by taking substantial ownership of project execution, coordinating activities across collaborators and team members, tracking milestones, proactively identifying obstacles and developing solutions, and communicating progress, risks, and changes in direction to the principal investigator.
• Communicate proactively and effectively across the research team, presenting complex scientific information clearly and ensuring that relevant results, decisions, and technical knowledge are shared with collaborators and junior researchers.
• Strengthen the effectiveness of the research team through mentorship,…