Research Assistant 2 - Powers Lab

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Organization:

Diab/Endo/Rheum/Imm Admin Core

Job Summary:

Under moderate supervision, set up, conduct experiments, and continue research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. Assist in other laboratory and research functions.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

The Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism has a rich tradition of clinical, investigative and training excellence. With over 70 faculty and staff members, the division participates in a wide range of clinical programs?and clinical and basic science research. Training the next generation of physicians and scientists is one of our main missions and involves programs in Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine, as well as funded T32 and T35 training programs.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

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About the Powers & Brissova Research Group

Pancreatic islets are highly specialized mini organs that regulate blood glucose by secreting insulin, glucagon, and other hormones in response to physiologic stimuli such as glucose. A deficiency or a dysfunction of the insulin-producing ß cells of the islet is critical to the development of all forms of diabetes.

The Powers & Brissova group is working to understand and reverse ß cell and islet abnormalities and dysfunction in diabetes. In our projects, we are studying the pathogenesis of human diabetes by conducting, translating, and integrating studies about the human pancreas and islet biology.

Our research team of scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, medical students, undergraduate students, and research assistants has interdisciplinary collaborations with cell biologists, developmental biologists, biomedical engineers, geneticists, and bioinformaticians at Vanderbilt and around the world (Philadelphia, Palo Alto, New York, Alberta, Gainesville, Worcester, Austin, Denver, Chicago, Melbourne, Miami, Dresden, and Bar Harbor). We are part of the NIH-funded Human Islet Research Network (HIRN), the Human Pancreas Analysis Program (HPAP), the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP), and the Multicenter Assessment of the Pancreas in Type 1 Diabetes (MAP-T1D).

The Powers & Brissova Research Group is part of the Diabetes Center, the Department of Medicine, and the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt. Our research is supported by the NIH/NIDDK, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Research program, and The Helmsley Charitable Trust.

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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

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

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 members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

2 years

Education :

Bachelor's

Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled