Research Assistant - ON SITE
About The Position
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking a Research Assistant (RA) to join the Hearing And Speech department. This on-site position in Nashville, TN, will support a project investigating normal hearing and hearing loss in non-human primates, specifically macaque monkeys. The RA will be an integral part of a dynamic and collaborative team, contributing to groundbreaking studies in auditory science. The role involves active participation in experiments, animal training, data collection and analysis, and maintaining laboratory operations. VUMC is committed to an environment where everyone can thrive and where uniqueness is celebrated, aiming to advance health and wellness through patient care, education, and research.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience).
- Willingness to work with animals, specifically macaque monkeys.
- Physical ability to lift up to 65 pounds.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong work ethic.
- Willingness to multitask in a fast-paced research environment.
- Patience.
- Enthusiasm.
- Deep interest in working with animals, specifically monkeys.
- Ability to work occasional overtime, including weekends and holidays.
Nice To Haves
- Programming or engineering experience.
- Familiarity with MATLAB.
- Previous experience in electrophysiology, programming, or working with animals/nonhuman primates.
- A genuine interest in research and enthusiasm for working closely with monkeys.
Responsibilities
- Actively participate in behavioral and physiological experiments.
- Train macaque monkeys for various behavioral tasks with patience and precision.
- Perform data collection, analysis, and ensure timely and accurate data entry.
- Maintain detailed and organized records of experiments and findings.
- Handle macaque monkeys professionally and responsibly, including providing environmental enrichment.
- Assist in maintaining laboratory operations by performing additional duties as needed.
- Stay adaptable and eager to learn advanced technical skills as required for the role.
- Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to the development of new SOPs when necessary.
- Collaborate effectively and courteously with other team members.
- Under supervision, run experiments, assays, and record results.
- Read and follow experimental protocols (May include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.).
- Compile and communicate results to supervisor.
- Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogenics).
- Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions.
- Prepare and operate equipment in experimental procedures.
- May include blood gas analyzer, centrifuge, pH meter, spectrophotometer, autoclave, scintillation counter, electrophoresis unit, analytical balance, etc.
- Maintain and repair equipment according to manufacturer and university guidelines.
- Ensure Laboratory is prepared for experiments.
- Maintain inventories.
- Maintain sterile conditions as required.
- Prepare reagents.
- Clean equipment.
Benefits
- health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
