What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant position at Vanderbilt?
The Term Research Assistant II is a part of the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor for supporting the smooth function of the laboratory. This position assists in the other laboratory and research functions as well. Reporting directly to the PI, indirectly to the Lab Manager. This person will have interactions with the other labs, the animal care staff, and regulatory members (IACUC, OAWA, ACUP, etc.). The Term Research Assistant II will be an asset to the continuation of research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results.
This position has growth potential to lead to additional career opportunities, such as becoming a more senior Research Assistant, and for candidates that display exceptional performance, becoming Lab Manager.
About the Work Unit:
The Department of Psychology in the College of Arts & Science has faculty (both tenure and non-tenure lines) who are aligned within three specializations: clinical psychology, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, and neuroscience. We are first and foremost a research-oriented department, and our faculty comprises nationally and internationally recognized scholars in their fields of research.
Our Undergraduate Program currently consists of nearly 160 undergraduate majors. Our approximately 40 Ph.D. students in the Departmentâs Graduate Program will join, upon graduation, alumni employed in public and private institutions and organizations, as well as in private practice.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Set up behavioral experiments, which include eye tracking and reward delivery systems using kiosk touch screen systems using Matlab.
- Work effectively with a team of other PhD students, postdocs, and researchers
- Perform animal behavior training on cognitive tasks.
- Animal implant maintenance.
- General laboratory support.
- Ensures that the PI is kept apprised of all relevant lab activities, issues, and potential concerns.
- Maintains a clear line of communication with the PI on all lab related issues, especially regarding the health of the lab animals or any unexpected behavioral changes.
- Assistance with record keeping and helps insure compliance with regulatory standards
- Assists with scheduling procedures and keeping the laboratory calendar
- Help to prepare for procedures and deliver post-procedure care
- Assist the PI in lab-related administrative duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively to the Lab Manager and functionally to the PI.
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor's degree from accredited institution of higher education is necessary. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Anthropology or Primatology is preferred.
- Relevant laboratory research experience at least at an undergraduate level is required.
- Experience with training animals on tasks is preferred.
- Attention to experimental details.
- Able to work in a research team environment.
Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:
Analytical and Detail Oriented
Autonomous
Creative Thinking
Honest and Transparent
Resilient
