Research Support

Job posting number: #7368980. Posted: August 18, 2026. Application deadline: Open until filled.

About the Role

The Lippmann Lab in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University seeks an animal research specialist to support therapeutic endeavors involving delivery of hydrogels, siRNAs, proteins, and cells into the brain and periphery. The lab’s mission is to model, understand, and treat neurodegeneration using multidisciplinary approaches spanning engineering, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine. Learn more at www.lippmannlab.com.

Approximately 80% of the specialist’s effort will focus on the Lippmann Lab’s projects, while the remaining 20% will support the Chapman Lab, which designs vaccines and therapeutics to directly engage B lymphocytes. Learn more at www.thechapmanlab.com.

Responsibilities

• Mouse colony maintenance:
  • Breeding and genotyping of wildtype and transgenic mice, including immunocompromised strains
  • Detailed inventories coupled to experimental timelines
• Non-surgical animal procedures:
  • Subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, intravenous, and retro-orbital injections
  • Euthanasia and tissue harvesting
• Animal survival surgeries:
  • Intracerebroventricular (ICV), intra cisterna magna (ICM), and intraparenchymal injections in mice
  • Intrathecal injections in rats
  • Femoral artery ligation in mice
  • Femur fracture and spinal fusion procedures in mice
• Animal models of autoimmune disease:
  • Establish active and passive models of pemphigus vulgaris
  • Establish active experimental model of myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and perform behavioral tests of muscle strength
• Animal-related lab operations:
  • Maintain survival surgery records
  • Initiate and implement IACUC protocol updates
  • Train other members of the lab on relevant techniques

Requirements

• A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., engineering, biology, chemistry, biochemistry) or related experience
• Experience in mouse survival surgery
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Diligence and ability to maintain high-quality records and safety standards
• Willingness to train others in relevant techniques and strong interpersonal skills