Research Assistant, Pharmacology

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The Research Assistant position is a combination of science and administrative responsibilities. The individual will perform a variety of on-campus support services for the Department of Pharmacology. Under supervision, the person hired for this position will perform routine maintenance on equipment, maintain supplies and stock them throughout common equipment areas of Pharmacology, walk spaces and identify issues needing to be addressed, respond to faculty and resource users’ requests for help, work with the leadership to resolve problems, assist with training on common equipment, place chemical waste requests and assist in other laboratory and research functions.

Job Description

The Department of Pharmacology is one of the most distinguished Pharmacology departments in the country. Research interests include seven major areas: signal transduction mechanisms, neuronal communication and synaptic signaling, bioactive lipids, molecular basis of neuropsychiatric disorders, structural biology, drug discovery, and cancer biology. Molecules under investigation include G-protein coupled receptors (rhodopsin, adrenergic, serotonin and receptors), heterotrimeric G-proteins, ion channels, transporters, and regulatory proteins such as arrestins, protein kinases and protein phosphatases.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research Support

• Provides glassware washing services for registered Pharmacology laboratories using a variety of methods: handwashing, machine washing, and autoclaving. Duties include picking up glassware for registered labs daily, cleaning glassware by hand or by STERIS washing/drying machine, ensuring glassware is clean and sterilized, and final delivery back to the laboratories.
• Assists with maintaining all equipment rooms to meet the needs of lab personnel for optimal use.
• Places work orders with VUMC FM and VU Plant Ops for repairs and miscellaneous requests.
• Assists with key requests and distribution.
• Maintains supplies and stock as needed.
• Assists with the logistics of lab startups, moves and close outs.
• Communicates routinely (on a daily to weekly basis) with leadership.
• Maintains quality control documents.
• Assists with gathering necessary information/quotes during budget/capital planning season.
• Follows University safety protocols. Assists with the communication of these protocols to lab personnel (may include use of combustibles, biohazardous materials, and/or radioactivity).
• Maintain inventory supplies, placing orders where necessary.
• Assists lab personnel with protocol and the logistics of equipment purchases. Knowledgeable of the vendors to contact and the process from the start of the purchase to the final installation.
• Optimizes the utilization of the equipment and maintains equipment which may include centrifuges, microscopes, scintillation and other radioactive counters, shaking incubators, autoclaves, imagers, etc.
• Checks all equipment daily for required service needs on instruments.
• Becomes familiar with Animal protocols and compliance. Assists with laboratory animal care as needed such as care of mice and/or zebrafish.
• Interacts with lab personnel frequently to discuss concerns they or their lab members may be having with equipment, facilities maintenance issues, or other concerns, and formulates and executes a plan to resolve issues.

Administrative Support

• Submit Purchase Order requisitions as needed via Oracle platform.
• Perform administrative and operational duties for Pharmacology including managing office operations and providing administrative support.
• Process reimbursement request and OneCard transactions including reconciling division purchasing/procurement transactions.
• Assists with department events and visitors.
• Other duties as assigned by the Department of Pharmacology Chair or Program Manager.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a laboratory science-based discipline from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• At least two years of directly related experience working in a scientific lab is preferred.
• Familiarity with scientific equipment is necessary.
• Proficient in Excel.
• Highly motivated.
• Experience working in a team-based organization is preferred.
• Ability to clearly communicate ideas and concerns is preferred.
• Takes ownership and complete miscellaneous tasks identified in real-time.