Perform routine molecular and cellular biology experiments under supervision, following established protocols with precision and attention to detail.
Conduct nucleic acid and protein extraction from biological samples, including tissues, biofluids, and cultured cells.
Maintain and culture immortalized cell lines and/or primary cells (e.g., fibroblasts), ensuring proper technique and documentation.
Assist with standard assays such as quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), ELISA, and immunofluorescence staining.
Prepare reagents, maintain laboratory supplies, and support general laboratory organization and operations.
Record experimental procedures and results accurately, contributing to data organization and quality control.
Identify basic technical issues and assist in routine troubleshooting and protocol optimization under guidance.
Collaborate effectively with team members and participate in maintaining a productive and safe laboratory environment.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, or a related field (or equivalent laboratory experience).
Foundational knowledge of molecular and cellular biology techniques.
Familiarity with basic laboratory practices, including pipetting, sample handling, and sterile technique.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to follow protocols accurately and maintain clear, well-documented records.
Willingness to learn new techniques and grow within a research environment.
Strong work ethic and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Requirements
Prior hands-on experience with nucleic acid and protein extraction methods.
Experience with cell culture, including immortalized cell lines and/or primary cells.
Familiarity with qPCR, RT-PCR, ELISA, and/or immunofluorescence assays.
Exposure to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture.
Basic data handling skills, including organizing results and recognizing technical variability.
Interest in neurodegenerative disease research and translational science.
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.
Core Accountabilities:
Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve sta
Benefits
Health insuranceVision insurance
Additional Information
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:
Neurology Admin 20
Job Summary:
The Vanderbilt ALS Research Center (VARC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Laboratory Technician to support research within a dynamic and collaborative environment. This role is ideal for an early-career candidate with foundational training in molecular and cellular biology who is eager to gain hands-on experience and progressively develop independence in a translational research setting.
The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing projects focused on neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS and related disorders. This position offers exposure to a wide range of experimental techniques, access to unique patient-derived samples and cellular models, and the opportunity to grow within a team that values rigor, mentorship, and continuous learning.
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, TN