Job Description

The Principal Staff Scientist is part of the Karasmanis Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University and is a senior individual contributor responsible for advancing the laboratory’s research programs and supporting efficient laboratory operations. This position plays a central role in experimental design, assay development, data generation, and interpretation, while serving as a technical resource for lab members.

Reporting directly to the Principal Investigator (PI), the Principal Staff Scientist works closely and regularly with the PI, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate trainees, and shared resource cores to support and advance the lab’s scientific objectives.

The Principal Staff Scientist will independently design, execute, and optimize advanced molecular, cellular, biochemical, and biophysical experiments, including cryo-ET; develop and implement new experimental assays and workflows; analyze and interpret complex datasets; and contribute to troubleshooting and refinement of ongoing research projects. The role also includes training and mentoring lab members on specialized techniques, maintaining rigorous experimental documentation, and contributing to a collaborative and highly functional research environment.

The Karasmanis Lab studies the mechanisms of intra- and inter-cellular transport using structural, biophysical, cell biological, and genetic approaches. Research in the lab focuses on understanding how cellular cargo arrives at the right place and time and dissecting how motor-cargo complexes form and correctly navigate the cellular cytoskeleton landscape. The lab values scientific rigor, creativity, collaboration, mutual support, and fosters an environment where trainees and staff work closely together to develop new ideas, technologies, and experimental strategies.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience from both academic and biotechnology research environments and will play a central role in advancing the lab’s research programs through independent execution of complex experiments, development of new methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration.

The position is full time. Term length and renewal will be contingent upon funding and performance.

About the Work Unit

The Department of Biological Sciences has an excellent staff to facilitate issue resolution involving personnel, financial management, supply and equipment orders proposal submission, and infrastructure. The faculty in the department carry out diverse research projects and often collaborate with other members within the department and in nearby departments. This department covers a broad spectrum of biology, from molecules and cells to tissues and organisms to populations and ecosystems. Award-winning faculty and graduate students teach and carry out research in Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Biophysics, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Developmental Biology, and Neurobiology.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Design, execute, and optimize advanced molecular, cellular, biochemical, and biophysical experiments to advance discovery and the lab’s research objectives.
• Develop, adapt, and miniaturize novel experimental assays and workflows to address specific scientific questions related to cellular transport mechanisms.
• Generate high-quality, reproducible data and perform quantitative data analysis and interpretation.
• Maintain thorough and accurate experimental records using electronic or written laboratory notebooks.
• Troubleshoot complex experimental challenges and propose effective technical and conceptual solutions.
• Contribute to preparation of figures, technical summaries, and data for manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications.
• Serve as a technical resource for laboratory members by providing guidance on protocols, experimental design, and best practices.
• Train and collaborate with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers on specialized techniques and instrumentation.
• Assist with laboratory operations including equipment oversight, inventory management, purchasing, and coordination with shared core facilities.
• Support compliance with laboratory safety procedures, institutional policies, and best research practices.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external research partners as needed to advance lab projects

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have formal supervisory responsibility; however, it provides day-to-day technical guidance and training to students and trainees. This position reports administratively to the Departmental Administrative Manager and functionally to the Principal Investigator (PI).

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and extensive research experience, is required.
• Advanced research training or experience equivalent to a Master’s degree or higher is preferred.
• Doctoral-level research training or equivalent industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Extensive hands-on laboratory experience may be considered in lieu of additional formal education

Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in assay development, optimization, and troubleshooting is required.
• Extensive hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques such as RNA and DNA extraction and purification, immunoprecipitation, qPCR, Western Blotting, DNA plasmid design and cloning, including viral plasmids, is essential.
• Extensive hands-on experience with protein biochemistry techniques such as protein expression and purification from bacterial, insect cell or mammalian cell systems is required.
• Experience with FPLC systems is preferred.
• Extensive hands-on experience with cellular biology techniques such as basic culture of mammalian cell lines, cell transfection and establishment of stable cell lines is required.
  • Experience with cell staining protocols for live-cell imaging, immunocytochemistry, and fixed-cell imaging is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with advanced microscopy techniques, including confocal and TIRF microscopy, is strongly preferred
• Cryo-electron tomography experience or familiarity with structural data acquisition and processing is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues while managing complex experimental workflows is required.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail are required.
• Experience working in academic or biotechnology research environments is preferred.
• Experience mentoring junior trainees is preferred.
• Experience with laboratory operations, including purchasing, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance, is strongly preferred.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.