The Temporary - Research (Exempt) is part of the Graham Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University. This individual will help train graduate and undergraduate students on various research methods. This position will report directly to Professor Graham, who is the Principal Investigator(PI)of this project.
The overall goal of our lab is to determine how biological membranes are assembled and organized. This includes analysis of how proteins are localized to the appropriate organelles in the secretory and endocytic pathways, and how P4-ATPases contribute to membrane asymmetry, protein trafficking and human disease. Our research relies heavily on the use of model systems, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mus musculus, and techniques such as molecular cloning, cell imaging, flow cytometry, genetics and biochemical analysis of proteins.
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.
The Department of Biological Sciences 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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
A key function for this position is to help train graduate students on a variety of methods where our current experience is minimal in the lab. These include, A) culturing and transfection of mammalian cells; B) preparing RNA from cultured cells and mouse tissues for RT-PCR and RNA seq, C) testing the specificity of new antibodies to proteins of interest, E) Western blot analyses of mouse tissues like liver, adipose, heart, brain to probe signaling pathways involved in energy metabolism, F) Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses of mouse tissues and cultured cells, G) provide assistance with the care and husbandry of our mouse colonies. This will also mean helping us build up the equipment and resources necessary to do this work.
Making sure that shared research spaces are kept neat, clean and equipment in proper working order, and coordinating research activities with others in the lab because of the current COVID restrictions.
Adaptable schedule requiring 7am presence in lab & some weekends for lab set up during COVID protocols.
The candidate is expected to delve into the literature on mammalian P4-ATPases and their relationship to metabolic disorder. Specific tasks we will need to do in coming months are things like glucose tolerance tests along with collection of samples from mice to examine serum lipid profiles, liver histology, gene expression, etc.
Integrity of the science and the responsible conduct of research is absolutely essential. This includes complete and accurate documentation of experiments and data, making sure data are stored and backed up safely, and that all research material are organized in a manner that makes them available to others (for example, DNA constructs; cell lines, antibodies, etc)
Follow university safety protocols and responsible care of research animals.
Data analysis, preparation of figures for manuscripts and communication of results to PI and fellow lab members in lab meetings.
Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physiology or related field is necessary
A minimum of 3 years of postdoctoral experience is necessary
Background in signal transduction, gene expression, mammalian physiology, metabolic studies and/or vascular biology is preferred
Experience and Skills
Expertise in working with mice or other rodent systems, tissue collection and analysis, mammalian cell tissue culture, recombinant DNA methodology, transfection, gene expression, microscopy and immunodetection of proteins is preferred
Kind, patient and effective teacher of trainees embracing lab efforts towards building diversity and inclusion in the sciences is necessary
Supervisory Relationships
This position has supervisory responsibility of undergraduate and graduate students as assigned by PI; as stated above, this position reports administratively to the Departmental Administrative Manager and functionally to the lab PI.
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