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Organization:

Neonatology

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY

The Herington Lab is seeking a Basic Scientist I to support focus on the discovery of novel therapeutics and the use of targeted drug delivery to inhibit uterine myometrial contractility for prevention of preterm labor. The position will conduct exciting studies that will advance at a rapid pace to characterize the performance of new drug delivery systems (DDSs) to suppress uterine contractions that lead to preterm birth. This is a collaborative project between an industrial partner that will fabricate drug conjugates for in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo testing in the laboratories of Drs. Herington and Todd Giorgio (Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University, whose laboratory specializes on developing and testing advanced DDSs).

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Candidates should have a recent Ph.D. degree with a strong background in pharmacology and a strong publication record. Individuals with experience in vitro cell-based assays, in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies will be given preference. Effectiveness in these high-level tasks will require the following skills (among others): primary cell isolation, cell culture, administration (intrauterine, intravenous, and subcutaneous) of treatments to mice, HPLC, LC-MS, sample collection at necropsy. We value self-motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative team members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform laboratory experiments and produce competent and reproducible results to a high technical standard

• Devise research methods, prepare technical specifications, and specify laboratory test equipment and processes

• Analyze data, and interpret and present results with minimal faculty supervision

• Design experiments and implement and standardize new processes and procedures based on expert knowledge of literature and subject matter

• Maintain detailed documentation and write formal scientific reports suitable for publication

• Prepare and/or maintain samples and specimens

• Manage laboratory personnel

• Maintain and operate standard laboratory equipment, including HPLC, as well as specialized equipment necessary to support the laboratory

• Perform mathematical calculations and generate relevant statistics to support scientific output

SPECIFIC DUTIES

In vivo PK and PD in mice: This involves the administration (intraveneous, intrauterine, subcutaneous, or intravavinal) drugs or drug conjugates to mice, blood collection, post-necropsy sample collection, and analysis (HPLC, LC/MS, IVIS).

In vitro cell based assays: Isolation of human myometrial cells from fresh tissue, cell culture, high-throughput calcium mobilization assays, cell viability assays, concentration response analysis of drugs, calculation of Emax and IC50 values.

Ex vivo organ bath assays: Preparation of human tissue strips, perform isometric uterine contractility assays, concentration response analysis of drugs, analysis (amplitude, frequency, and AUC).

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: 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.

Core Capabilities :

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.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education :

Doctorate

Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled