Clinical Scientist Assistant 2 - HYBRID

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Clinical Scientist Assistant II, you will serve as a senior scientific and operational leader within Dr. William Heerman’s research program. In this role, you’ll provide scientific oversight and administrative leadership across multiple federally funded and foundation-supported studies focused on pediatric obesity prevention, physical activity, nutrition, and community-based health interventions. Working independently with general guidance from the Principal Investigator, you’ll use advanced scientific knowledge and judgment to help drive the success of the research portfolio. You will oversee key components of the program, including research implementation, regulatory compliance, personnel supervision, grant development, dissemination of findings, and coordination of center-level activities. You’ll also function in a chief-of-staff–type capacity for the laboratory—helping ensure that scientific priorities and day-to-day operations stay aligned. This includes supporting strong execution across projects, maintaining high staff performance, and promoting effective stakeholder and community partner engagement. In addition, you will supervise research personnel, coordinate work across investigators and community partners, and play a substantial role in producing manuscripts, grant proposals, and scientific presentations that advance the impact of the program.

Requirements

Ph.D.
At least three years of relevant experience
Advanced scientific expertise necessary to support the expanding scope and complexity of this research program.

Responsibilities

Provide scientific and operational oversight for multiple ongoing research projects and clinical studies.
Direct implementation of funded research protocols, ensuring adherence to study milestones, timelines, and deliverables.
Oversee regulatory activities, including IRB submissions, protocol modifications, reporting requirements, and compliance with institutional and sponsor regulations.
Monitor study recruitment, participant retention, data collection quality, and project performance metrics.
Coordinate activities among investigators, collaborators, and research staff to ensure successful completion of funded research objectives.
Provide direct supervision, mentoring, and performance management for research coordinators, research assistants, and other laboratory personnel.
Develop staffing plans and assign responsibilities across projects to maximize efficiency and productivity.
Lead regular project and personnel meetings and establish operational priorities for the research program.
Support hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development of research staff.
Serve as the primary operational liaison between laboratory personnel, institutional offices, and collaborating partners.
Contribute substantively to the preparation of grant applications, progress reports, and competitive renewals.
Assist investigators with study design, literature reviews, data interpretation, and development of research plans.
Lead and support preparation of scientific manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, and dissemination products.
Coordinate responses to sponsor requests and reporting requirements.
Identify opportunities to enhance research productivity and support growth of the research portfolio.
Coordinate selected activities of the WeGrowHealthy Center and related collaborative initiatives.
Facilitate engagement with community partners, advisory boards, and stakeholder groups.
Support planning and execution of meetings, events, and center-wide initiatives.
Assist with tracking center milestones, reporting requirements, and communication across participating organizations and investigators.
Promote integration of community perspectives into research and dissemination activities.