JOB SUMMARY:

The Division of Hematology Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is seeking a Research Assistant 1 to support research in Dr. Frank Mason's lab. Dr. Mason and his research team investigate how alterations in tumor suppressors or oncogenes drive chromosome instability and aneuploidy in cancer cells and determines vulnerabilities that exist in these contexts. They are particularly interested in the role of epigenetic and chromatin regulators in genome maintenance, and how their loss affects genome stability throughout the cell cycle. They utilize a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes cellular, molecular, and genomic methods to determine drivers of genome instability and clonal heterogeneity in cultured cells, renal cell carcinoma and other tumor types.

A general overview of the responsibilities can be found below:

Provide, under direct supervision, support for specified research projects; collect, assess, and communicate data/results. Assist in general laboratory operation and inventory.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under supervision, run experiments, assays, and record results
• Read and follow experimental protocols (May include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.)
• Compile and communicate results to supervisor
• Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogenics)
• Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions
• Prepare and operate equipment in experimental procedures
• May include centrifuge, pH meter, spectrophotometer, autoclave, scintillation counter, electrophoresis unit, etc.
• 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
• Clean equipment.

Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent experience) and < 1 year experience

• Physical Requirements/Strengths needed & Physical Demands:
  
  
  Movement
  
  • Occasional: Sitting: Remaining in seated position
  • Occasional: Standing: Remaining on one's feet without moving.
  • Occasional: Walking: Moving about on foot.
  • Occasional: Lifting under 35 lbs: Raising and lowering objects under 35 lbs from one level to another
  • Occasional: Push/Pull: Exerting force to move objects away from or toward.
  • Occasional: Bending/Stooping: Trunk bending downward and forward by bending spine at waist requiring full use of lower extremities and back muscles
  • Occasional: Crawling:Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
  • Occasional: Reaching below shoulders: Extending arms in any direction below shoulders.
  • Occasional: Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with hand or hands.
  
  
  Sensory
  
  • Occasional: Vision: Clarity of near vision at 20 inches or less and far vision at 20 feet or more with depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision.
  • Occasional: Noise: May include exposure to occupational noise levels which equal or exceed an 8-hr time-weighted average of 85 decibels, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Hearing Conservation Program which includes training, use of hearing protection, and periodic audiometry.
  • Continuous: Communication: Expressing or exchanging written/verbal/electronic information.
  
  
  Environmental Conditions
  
  • Occasional: Chemicals and Gasses: Medications, cleaning chemicals, oxygen, other medical gases used in work area.
  • Occasional: Pathogens: Risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other contagious illnesses.
  • Occasional: Radiation: May be exposed to occupational radiation, requiring enrollment in VUMC's Radiation Safety Program which includes training, use of personal protective equipment with lead shielding, and personal dose monitoring.
  • Occasional: Climate: Ability to withstand exposure to atmospheric extremes including heat, cold, humidity, and barometric pressure changes.