Research Support, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Job Description
The Research Support Specialist will support therapeutic endeavors being conducted by the Lippmann lab that involve delivery of hydrogels, siRNAs, proteins, and cells into the brain and periphery. The specialist will perform intracerebroventricular, intra cisterna magna, and intrathecal injections of siRNA conjugates, as well as intraparenchymal injections of designer proteins and engineered cells, including mesenchymal stromal cell and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived products. The specialist will also perform injections of hydrogels, with or without engineered cells, into central and peripheral sites to assess therapeutic outcomes as part of several collaborative projects with other research groups. These activities will be performed on healthy animals, as well as animals subjected to femoral artery ligation, femur fracture, or spinal fusion. If not fluent in these techniques, the specialist will be required to learn them and/or effectively collaborate on their implementation.
The Lippmann Lab in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University seeks candidates to fill an animal research specialist position. The lab's mission is to model, understand, and treat neurodegeneration using multidisciplinary approaches spanning engineering, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine. Please refer to [click to reveal website link] to learn more about our research, team members, and news updates.
Duties and Responsibilities
Mouse colony maintenance
• Breeding and genotyping
• Detailed inventories coupled to experimental timelines
Non-surgical animal procedures
• Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
• Euthanasia and tissue harvesting
Animal survival surgeries
• ICV, ICM, and intraparenchymal injections in mice
• Potentially intrathecal injections in rats depending on interest
• Femoral artery ligation in mice
• Femur fracture and spinal fusion procedures in mice
Assist with animal-related lab operations
• Maintain survival surgery records
• Initiate and implement IACUC protocol updates
• Train other members of the lab on relevant techniques
Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the laboratory manager.
Qualifications
• A master's degree in a relevant field, e.g. engineering, biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field, is required.
• 5 - 7 years of experience in mouse survival surgery is required. 8 - 11 years of experience preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are required.
• Diligence along with the ability and desire to maintain high quality records and safety standards are required.
• Willingness to train others in relevant techniques and strong interpersonal skills are required.
About Us
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.