The Research Assistant Senior position is a combination of science and administrative responsibilities. The individual will perform a variety of services for the Nguyen lab in the Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Brain Institute. Under supervision, the person hired for this position will assist in a variety of laboratory and research functions including setting up and performing research experiments, helping onboard and train new members of the lab, and helping maintain the day-to-day functions of the lab including ordering and keeping track of lab supplies, maintenance of equipment, and maintaining animal, biosafety, and chemical safety inventories and protocols. Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team is expected. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to interface with members of the greater neuroscience community at Vanderbilt and beyond at collaborating institutions and research entities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under limited supervision, conduct and evaluate experiments and assays.
• Knowledge base requires technical understanding of basic lab procedures, safety culture and compliance requirements and equipment
• Provides assistance and training to lower-level employees
• Gives oral presentations, can analyze sensitive problems and order priorities
• Problems typically are not routine and require analysis to understand. Must be good at active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking and have a broad scientific background.
• Design, perform, and optimize immunostaining experiments and analyze results.
• Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot equipment in experimental procedures. 
• Help with manuscript and grant preparation. 
• Based upon data obtained, prepare figures for publication, write methods and figure legends, and contribute to the final manuscript or grant preparation. 
• Ensure the laboratory is prepared for experimental protocols. Maintain equipment, prepare solutions, perform routine laboratory assays. 
• Maintain and genotype mouse colonies
• Perform experiments in live mice including stereotaxic surgery, imaging, and mouse behavior assays and maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes
• Analyze experimental results using computer-aided data analysis software
• Perform tissue extraction and sectioning

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with 3-5 years of experience or Master’s Degree with experience in animal models.
• Good documentation practices with excellent organization and attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Self-motivated team player with the ability to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment.

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.