Dermatology

JOB SUMMARY

The Ward Laboratory in the Department of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is seeking a highly motivated Basic Scientist Assistant 1 to join our research team investigating the mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory skin diseases and their associated comorbidities.

The successful candidate will have primary responsibility for an NIH-funded research program investigating mechanisms linking cutaneous inflammation with psoriatic arthritis and associated disease manifestations. The scientist will design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, develop and optimize experimental approaches, and contribute to scientific presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related activities. The scientist will also contribute expertise to other laboratory projects, help develop new research directions and methodologies, and train and mentor junior personnel.

About the Ward Laboratory

The Ward Laboratory studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive chronic inflammatory skin diseases and their associated comorbidities, with a current emphasis on psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), including associated inflammatory arthritis and musculoskeletal disease. Our translational research is informed by discoveries from human genetics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and other multi-omic approaches, which we use to identify disease-associated pathways and prioritize mechanisms for functional investigation in experimental models. Increasingly, we integrate these approaches with EHR-linked clinical and phenotypic data to better define disease mechanisms, heterogeneity, and associated comorbidities.

Experimental mouse models, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, and histopathology are then used to interrogate these mechanisms and establish their functional and translational relevance.

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Key Responsibilities

• Design, perform, troubleshoot, analyze, and interpret experiments related primarily to an NIH-funded research program investigating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
• Generate high-quality, rigorous, accurate, and reproducible experimental data with meticulous attention to detail; critically evaluate results and recognize and investigate unexpected or inconsistent findings.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and contemporaneous scientific records and written protocols sufficient to understand and reproduce the work, with clear provenance and traceability from primary/raw data through analysis and reported results.
• Maintain samples, reagents, experimental records, and research data in an organized and readily identifiable manner, including accurate labeling, sample tracking, file naming, and data organization.
• Develop, optimize, document, implement, and standardize experimental methods and procedures.
• Work with mouse models of inflammatory disease and perform relevant molecular, cellular, immunologic, biochemical, histologic, and tissue-based assays.
• Analyze and present experimental data and contribute to figures, presentations, manuscripts, grant applications, and progress reports.
• Contribute scientific and technical expertise to other laboratory projects, assist with development of new projects and methodologies, and train and mentor junior laboratory personnel.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively, professionally, and respectfully with the PI, laboratory members, and collaborators; manage priorities with accountability and reliable follow-through; and contribute positively to a collegial and productive research environment.

You Are the Ideal Candidate If

You are a highly motivated, hard-working, productive, and scientifically curious scientist who takes pride in the quality and accuracy of your work. You are rigorous, meticulous, highly organized, and attentive to detail. You take ownership of your research, critically evaluate your data, maintain complete and understandable scientific records and well-organized, traceable research data, and reliably follow projects through to completion. You are proactive, willing to put in the effort needed to move projects forward, and able to manage competing priorities and deadlines. You communicate openly and professionally, work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues, and enjoy contributing intellectually to the development of new research questions and approaches.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline is required.
• Completion of a postdoctoral research fellowship in a relevant biomedical research field is required.
• Minimum of four years of research experience following completion of the PhD, including postdoctoral and/or other relevant research experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently designing, conducting, troubleshooting, analyzing, and interpreting laboratory experiments.
• Strong scientific reasoning, organizational, problem-solving, quantitative, and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively and willingness to work with research mice.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with preclinical mouse models of inflammatory or immune-mediated disease and expertise in several relevant experimental approaches, including immunology, molecular and cellular biology, tissue collection and histology, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, protein and RNA-based assays, flow cytometry, multi-omics approaches, and quantitative data analysis. Experience preparing scientific manuscripts and presentations and training or mentoring junior research personnel is also preferred.

Why Work With Us?

This position provides an opportunity to take a significant scientific role in an established NIH-funded research program while contributing to new research directions in a collaborative environment spanning basic, translational, and computational research. The scientist will have opportunities to develop new experimental approaches, contribute substantially to publications and presentations, collaborate with investigators at Vanderbilt and other institutions, and participate in the development of new research projects.

The position provides opportunities for continued scientific and professional development, with potential for advancement to positions of increasing scientific independence and responsibility based on performance, experience, demonstrated contributions, and applicable VUMC policies and criteria.

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.

Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Relevant Work Experience

Less than 1 year

Doctorate

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

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.