Research Assistant - Part Time

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Lab Operations Assistant is an individual contributor on the Bowden Biomedical Optics Laboratory team at Vanderbilt University. The role coordinates routine laboratory operations, administrative workflows, shared-space organization, and research support so students and research staff can focus more on research and training. Duties include maintaining laboratory spaces and supplies; coordinating routine equipment, safety, documentation, and scheduling activities; maintaining shared electronic resources; and supporting lab meetings and research studies. The assistant reviews meeting notes, distributes decisions and action items, and follows up on routine operational tasks. The laboratory is a collaborative biomedical engineering research group with shared laboratory, cell-culture, equipment, and digital workspaces. The position works closely with the faculty Principal Investigator, students, research staff, and shared-space partners. Responsibilities may evolve with laboratory and operational needs. This is a part-time position anticipated at approximately 10–20 hours per week and fewer than 30 hours per week. The hybrid schedule requires at least one day per week on site, with additional on-site presence when duties require physical access to the laboratory.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience is acceptable consistent with Vanderbilt policy.
Complete Vanderbilt-required safety, compliance, and role-specific training before independently performing applicable laboratory or human-research support activities.
Demonstrated organization, attention to detail, time management, and clear written and verbal communication.
Ability to work reliably and independently on recurring tasks, follow written procedures, maintain accurate records, and communicate professionally with students, staff, and participants.
Ability to work on site at least one day per week.
Willingness and ability to learn laboratory-specific systems and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in biology, animal science, biomedical science, engineering, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, biomedical science, engineering, or a related field.
Experience in customer service, administrative support, inventory or restocking, scheduling, training or orienting others, or another role requiring dependable follow-through.
Experience in a research laboratory, university setting, laboratory operations, research administration, cell culture, equipment coordination, or human-participant research.

Responsibilities

Coordinate laboratory organization and shared-space upkeep, including cleanup schedules, supply checks, waste and trash handling, freezer upkeep, and follow-up on established laboratory practices.
Maintain chemical inventory and Safety Data Sheet documentation; help keep safety materials current; coordinate inspections and certifications; and remind lab members of established safety procedures. Perform activities only after completing required training.
Coordinate routine equipment administration, including monitoring repair needs, maintaining access to manuals and warranties, arranging calibrations and certifications, and helping identify locations for new equipment.
Perform or coordinate routine upkeep of shared cell-culture and laboratory support areas, including checking LN2 and CO2 supplies, arranging gas orders, cleaning water pans, water baths, and incubators, preparing autoclaved water, managing biohazard waste, and coordinating freezer defrosting, biosafety cabinet certification, filter changes, and pipette calibration in accordance with training and safety requirements.
Maintain the PDMS work area and supplies, keep the station clean and usable, replenish routine materials, and, after appropriate training, orient new users to established procedures and scheduling practices.
Maintain shared laboratory records and knowledge resources, including lab wiki and OSF pages, onboarding and offboarding instructions, software and facility-access guidance, project links, presentation archives, and routine operational documentation.
Review lab and group meeting notes; capture decisions and action items; distribute follow-up summaries; maintain shared trackers and calendars; and follow up with lab members on open operational items.
Archive presentations and relevant links in designated locations and periodically collect presentation information from lab members.
Provide assigned administrative support for human-participant research, including monitoring participant communications, maintaining scheduling pipelines and study calendars, responding to routine inquiries using approved materials, assisting with scheduling and documentation, and promptly routing adverse-event information to appropriate research personnel. Perform activities requiring specialized authorization only after required training and under appropriate supervision.
Order and restock routine laboratory and office supplies within established procedures, maintain simple inventory information, and prepare purchasing or service documentation for supervisory review as needed.
Provide other assigned administrative and operational support that improves laboratory efficiency, documentation, communication, and continuity.