Junior Staff Scientist

About the role

The Staff Scientist is part of the Biomedical Engineering research program at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for conducting rigorous experimental research in cell and molecular bioengineering. This position supports multidisciplinary projects at the interface of mammalian cell engineering, synthetic biology, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute laboratory experiments, analyze and document results.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, trainees, and research staff.
• Maintain high standards of experimental rigor, reproducibility, laboratory safety, and data stewardship.
• Learn new methods as project needs evolve and take increasing ownership of experimental workflows and research projects.
• Conduct rigorous and reproducible wet-laboratory research using mammalian cell culture, molecular and cellular biology, and related bioengineering methods.
• Plan experiments in consultation with the principal investigator and project team; identify appropriate controls, execute studies carefully, and communicate results, limitations, technical challenges, and project needs clearly and proactively.
• Collect, analyze, organize, and interpret experimental data and maintain complete, accurate, and timely research records.
• Demonstrate accountability and reliability by taking ownership of assigned experiments and work products, meeting agreed-upon timelines, communicating challenges promptly, and following responsibilities through to completion.
• Engage actively in professional development by seeking and incorporating feedback, learning new experimental methods and technologies as project needs evolve, and developing increasing scientific and technical independence.
• Approach technical challenges with persistence and sound scientific judgment by systematically troubleshooting problems, seeking input when appropriate, and contributing to the optimization and standardization of experimental methods.
• Support studies involving primary cells, stem cells, engineered mammalian cells, and/or preclinical disease models as appropriate to assigned projects.
• Contribute data, figures, methods, and technical input to manuscripts, presentations, reports, and grant-related activities.
• Contribute to a collaborative and supportive research environment by communicating professionally, sharing expertise, assisting colleagues when appropriate, and working effectively with students, postdoctoral researchers, staff, faculty, and external collaborators.
• Assist with laboratory operations, including reagent and sample organization, equipment use and maintenance, protocol documentation, biosafety compliance, and training in established methods.
• Perform other research-related duties as assigned in response to evolving scientific and operational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biology, molecular biology, cell biology, neuroscience, or a closely related scientific or engineering field is required.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant biomedical, biological, or engineering discipline is preferred.
• Relevant laboratory safety, animal research, or other compliance training must be completed as required for assigned duties.

Skills

• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, attention to detail, effective communication, and ability to work collaboratively in a research environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in a biomedical wet-laboratory research environment.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and standard molecular or cellular biology methods.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to maintain rigorous research records.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, learn unfamiliar methods, troubleshoot experiments, and communicate scientific results effectively.
• Experience with stem cells, primary cells, genetic engineering, microscopy, flow cytometry, quantitative molecular assays, or related techniques is preferred.
• Experience with animal models of disease, particularly neurological/neurodegenerative or musculoskeletal disease, is preferred but not required.
• Experience in synthetic biology, cell engineering, biomaterials, tissue engineering, or regenerative medicine is preferred but not required.