Research Assistant II

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: PMI Molecular Pathogenesis Job Summary: A laboratory in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology is seeking a Research Assistant II (RAII) to join our team. In this role, you’ll be a key laboratory resource—supporting day-to-day operations while contributing directly to ongoing research projects in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. With moderate supervision, you will set up and conduct experiments, follow established protocols, and ensure accurate documentation and reporting of results (including any unexpected or variant findings). Your work will include: Culturing cells (eukaryotic and prokaryotic) Performing molecular biology techniques such as transformations, DNA preparation, PCR, and sequence analysis Expressing and purifying proteins Performing flow cytometry Preparing common reagents and solutions Supporting routine maintenance of laboratory equipment Managing inventory of reagents and supplies Assisting with other laboratory and research activities as needed What we’re looking for You’ll thrive in this position if you bring strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly and work effectively as part of a dynamic research team. Required Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) 2 years of experience in molecular biology Preferred Experience with plasmid preparation, cloning, DNA mutagenesis, and cultured mammalian cells DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: You’ll join the Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics (VCAT)—recognized as one of the world’s leading centers for antibody discovery and translational research focused on disease prevention. At the intersection of immunology and virology, our work leverages computational advances to better understand antibody–antigen interactions, design immunogens, and optimize antibodies for clinical use. In the Georgiev laboratory, we use computational and structure-based protein design approaches to address fundamental questions in immunology and virology and to develop new vaccine and antibody product candidates targeting viruses of biomedical importance. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic, interdisciplinary research team and contribute to impactful, translational science. Schedule and location Typical schedule is Monday–Friday, daytime hours, with flexibility in your daily start/end time as long as responsibilities are met. May be occasional weekend work but anticipated work week is 40 hours. This is an on-site role working at VUMC Medical Research Building IV (MRB IV), 2215 Garland Ave., Nashville, TN . KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Under moderate supervision, conduct and evaluate experiments and assays • Understand and follow experimental protocols (may include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.) • Record, compile, interpret, and communicate data/results • Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogens) • Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions • Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot equipment in experimental procedures • Read and follow all equipment manuals • 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 • Demonstrate an understanding of acceptable procedures and techniques • Recognize problems and suggest solutions • Assist in modifications as directed • Provide appropriate written documentation of experiments • Prepare preliminary research progress reports • Summarize test results appropriately 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.  Core Accountabilities: Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team m