Research Assistant I - Neurosurgery

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization: Neurological Surgery Job Summary: Position Summary: The Brain Imaging and Electrophysiology Network (BIEN) laboratory in the Department of Neurological Surgery is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented full-time Research Assistant to join our team beginning in Spring or early Summer 2026. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research during the 2026/2027 academic year. Our lab focuses on advancing our understanding of brain networks in epilepsy, a common and debilitating neurological disorder. We also explore normal cognitive processing in humans and investigate mechanisms underlying other neurological conditions. Led by Dario Englot, MD, PhD—a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist—our multidisciplinary team leverages MRI techniques, human intracranial recordings, and brain stimulation to tackle complex questions in neuroscience. To learn more about our work, please visit www.englotlab.com. Position Overview: As a Research Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting ongoing projects within the BIEN lab. Under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator and senior researchers, you will contribute to the collection, analysis, and presentation of data. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience research while building valuable skills that can pave the way for future academic or professional endeavors. In this role, you will work Monday-Friday traditional daytime business hours and will work onsite at the Village at Vanderbilt located on 21st Ave. in Nashville, TN. . DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Vanderbilt and the Department of Neurological Surgery have a long tradition of providing internationally acclaimed patient care, life changing innovations and research and training for the best of tomorrow-s neurological leaders. We provide excellent comprehensive care for pediatric and adult patients with disease or injury involving the brain, the neurovascular system, the spine, and the peripheral nervous system. For additional information, please visit https://www.vumc.org/neurosurgerydept/ Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year. World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease. Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions , the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience. A degree in engineering, neuroscience, or a related basic science field is strongly preferred.
Proficiency in MATLAB and/or computer programming (e.g., Python, Linux) is essential.
Analysis (Intermediate): Demonstrates the ability to grasp and apply advanced analysis concepts to solving problems of a difficult nature. Displays soundness of decisions as reflected in results. Capable of identifying and verifying themes and patterns imbedded within quantitative data, in a set of user requirements, and/or in a problem situation, then drawing conclusions through rational judgment, and recommending solutions and approaches. Displays ingenuity and imagination in problem resolution. Able to eliminate subjective and emotional elements not critical to the problem when conducting analysis. Knows when a timely "guestimate" is preferable to more thorough analysis.
Clinical Research (Intermediate): Demonstrates the ability to effectively research complicated issues pertaining to the area of expertise. Presents trial protocols to a steering committee. Often employs networking to help in researching issues. Sets up study centers, which includes ensuring each center has the trial materials and training site staff to trial-specific industry standards. Has used research resources maintained in outside areas.
Data Collection (Intermediate): Able to reach an understanding and agreement on operational definitions and methodologies for data collection planning purposes. Demonstrates a practical understanding of the key data collection and measurement components of repeatability [reaching the same results multiple times], reproducibility [duplicating the same outcome each time], accuracy, and stability. Prepares critical surveys and questionnaires. Demonstrates the ability to follow through with the data collection process and with the results of the data collection process.

Nice To Haves

A strong interest in neuroscience research and a passion for learning are highly desirable.
The ideal candidate will be reliable, honest, hard-working, and independent, with excellent communication and organizational skills.
This is an Ideal opportunity for recent or soon-to-be college graduates seeking hands-on research experience prior to pursuing graduate school or medical school.

Responsibilities

Assist in data collection, including MRI imaging, electrophysiology, and brain stimulation experiments.
Perform data analysis using MATLAB and other programming tools, such as Python and Linux-based software.
Communicate and present research findings through clear written and oral presentations.
Support day-to-day laboratory operations, including maintaining inventory and ensuring proper function of lab equipment.
Collaborate with team members to contribute to published manuscripts and scientific discoveries.
Plan, conduct, and evaluate investigations relating to research studies
Interpret data and prepare progress reports requiring in-depth analysis, recommendations, and/or conclusions
Establish research protocols and select data sources
Define goals for recruitment of study participants and set parameters to conduct interviews
Create database files and record information
Serve as primary contact with principal investigator
Assist in developing plans for research studies
Prepare manuscripts for publication
Make oral and/or written presentation of study concepts
Supervise, plan and assign worker, of the Research Analyst I/II, technical support staff and student assistants.