Research Specialist (Part-Time)

Every major advance in medicine starts with fundamental discoveries that teach us how living organisms work in both health and disease. These discoveries are made in biomedical sciences laboratories that study life at all levels from the individual molecules that encode heredity to the complex associations of cells that form tissues and organs. Vanderbilt Basic Sciences is a tightly integrated research and education division within the School of Medicine comprising four academic departments, eight interdisciplinary centers, twenty-seven service core facilities, and the Office of Biomedical Research, Education, and Training. Our team of over 1000 faculty, fellows, students, and staff are making new discoveries every day - discoveries that enrich our understanding of biological processes and provide the foundation for new insights into the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Assist with the reprogramming of blood cells and fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). 

• Perform the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into neurons using established laboratory protocols. 

• Maintain, expand, and cryopreserve induced pluripotent stem cell cultures to support ongoing research activities. 

• Analyze experimental data and prepare reports summarizing research findings, results, and project updates.

Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in chemistry, biochemistry or similar field and 2 years of experience are necessary

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community necessary.

• Prior experience in molecular biology, neuroscience, and/or pharmacology is necessary

• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities is strongly preferred.

• Vanderbilt experience is preferred.