Job Description:

The Suver Lab is a new addition to the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute. Our research aims to reveal fundamental principles of nervous system function using a uniquely tractable and powerful model in Drosophila. The Research Assistant I will be a key individual contributor responsible for research in the Suver Lab at Vanderbilt. Experience with biological research in a lab setting or relevant coursework in computer science/mechanical engineering/electrical engineering or related area preferred. Reporting directly to the Lab PI (Suver), duties may include maintaining fly stocks, running behavior experiments and analyzing video data. The position requires the ability to perform experiments and work together with Suver lab graduate student and postdoc trainees, and interact with faculty, staff, and students within the Department of Biological Sciences. A minimum of a two-year commitment is required.

The Suver Lab uses state of the art tools and techniques to understand general principles that nervous systems use to predict and learn about the world. We investigate mechanisms of sensory-motor planning and coordination at the cellular, circuit, and behavioral level with a multidisciplinary approach. Using a combination of quantitative behavior, electrophysiology, imaging, pharmacology, and genetic tools, we seek to understand fundamental principles of neuroscience using highly tractable neural circuits in Drosophila.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Opportunity to perform independent research
• Organize and maintain laboratory reagents and equipment
• Maintain fly stocks, including following protocols for making fly food
• Record, analyze, interpret, and communicate data/results
• Build new experimental apparatuses as needed, and operate and troubleshoot equipment
• Attend and present at weekly lab meetings, bi-monthly journal clubs, and engage in departmental seminars
• Actively help maintain an inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and professional environment
• Be a collaborative and interactive member of our research community
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships : This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Lab PI.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or associates degree in biological sciences, neuroscience or related field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering is preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people in a diverse community is required
• Skill in organizing resources, establishing priorities, and attention to detail is strongly preferred
• Basic lab experience preferred
• Proficiency with some programming language preferred
• Attention to detail is necessary
• Willingness to learn new techniques essential

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

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 through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt .
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

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.

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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University requires all employees to (1) participate in routine on-campus COVID-19 testing or (2) show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.