Research Assistant 3 - Hematology/Oncology (Haake Cancer Lab)

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization Hematology/Oncology Research Job Summary Perform under minimal supervision a wide variety of complex tasks requiring practical understanding of scientific techniques and advanced knowledge of scientific theory. Lab Summary In the Haake Cancer Lab, we study the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling during tumor initiation and evolution. ECM signaling via integrins is required for the survival of epithelial cells. However, as epithelial cells transform into carcinoma cells, the role of ECM and integrin signaling becomes more complex. In some contexts, such as lung cancer, we have shown that cancer cells exhibit constitutive, ligand-independent activation of ECM receptors, and this signaling is required for tumor initiation. However, their role in the biology of carcinoma types remains poorly defined. Our current work is focused on understanding the biological factors that regulate integrin signaling in various tumor types, including kidney cancer. Preferred Qualifications Experience with in-vitro and animal based experiments Required Qualifications Bachelor's Degree + 4 years of relevant work experience Key Responsibilities Under minimal supervision, plan, conduct and evaluate experiments and assays of varying complexity. Plan and coordinate experiments in conjunction with Principal Investigator (PI). 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. Recommend equipment and supplies needed for research projects. 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. Assist PI in modifying procedures and techniques. Recognize problems and suggest solutions, assist in modifications. Recommend improvements to established techniques and/or protocols. Maintain personal knowledge of scientific trends through literature reviews, attendance at meetings, conferences and seminars. Provide appropriate written/oral documentation of experiments Prepare research progress reports. Analyze and summarize test results. Preparation and oral presentation of data as required Assist in the effective operation of the laboratory. Train other employees. Supervise projects and/or personnel. 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: Independently delivers on objectives with understanding of how they impact the results of own area/team and other related teams. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes multiple sources of data to analyze and resolve complex problems; may take a new perspective on existing solution. Breadth of Knowledge: Has advanced knowledge within a professional area and basic knowledge across related areas. Team Interaction: Acts as a "go-to" resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small project teams. 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. 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. 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. 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. Demonstrates Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches. Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short‑term challenges. Acts as a champion of adaptability to change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements. Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled. #J-18808-Ljbffr Dormont Manufacturing Co