Research Assistant

The Research Assistant position provides support for the Mudumbi lab in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University. The role will require performing research, technical, and administrative duties for the laboratory. Initially, this role will focus on setting up the lab environment (ordering and unboxing new equipment), and ramping up for experiments (cloning, tissue culture, preparing buffers and reagents, etc) including advanced live cell imaging experiments. The individual will work closely with the PI, graduate students, and postdocs in a dynamic lab environment. The individual will be expected to function individually, as well as part of a team. It is imperative that the candidate has excellent organizational skills – with an attention to details – and excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).

The Mudumbi lab is fundamentally interested in the mechanistic underpinnings of signal transduction by cell surface transmembrane receptors. This is a central question at the heart of understanding how cells receive and interpret signals from the outside environment to achieve different downstream cellular outcomes. The lab is currently focused on the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family of single-pass transmembrane cell surface receptors, which play a crucial role in nearly every biological process in mammals, including proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of RTKs underlies many diseases including cancer, diabetes, and bone disorders to name a few. Of particular interest, a number of single-pass transmembrane receptors exhibit biased signaling – where different ligands specify completely distinct signals through the same receptor. To tackle this challenge, the Mudumbi lab uses a number of state-of-the-art imaging-based approaches that allows us to directly observe and understand the dynamics of individual receptors – at the single-molecule level – in living cells. Please see more details at https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/mudumbi-lab/.

The Mudumbi lab is part of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Ingram Cancer Center. Lab members will have access to state-of-the-art instruments in the lab, as well as access to the vast number of world-class core facilities at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Duties and Responsibilities
 

• Conduct experiments and assays.
• Ordering and preparing laboratory reagents
• Molecular cloning and related techniques (creating competent cell lines, preparing agar dishes, etc.)
• Assistance with maintaining laboratory equipment and inventory
• Preparation of buffers and reagents
• Performing tissue culture with aseptic techniques
• Collecting and analyzing data with minimal oversight
• Participating in lab meetings

Qualifications

• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related fields
• Previous experience working in a research laboratory is required
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to details are required
• Effective communication is required
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team is critical
• Experience with molecular biology and biochemical techniques, such as cloning and Western blots are preferred
• Tissue culture experience is preferred
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy is preferred

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. 

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.