Job Information
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Research Fellow Trainee in Nashville, Tennessee
Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of diverse individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your diversity of culture, thinking, learning, and leading is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
Organization:
Anesthesiology
Job Summary:
Planning, performance, and analysis of experiments, and presentation of data at lab meetings, National conferences, and in manuscripts. Dr. Bjornson will be joining a T32 grant starting in May. I do not have a worktag yet (the SBA is in progress) but the grant will cover 92.584% of her stipend and 7.416% will covered by Dr. Grueter's APS funds [PG000121] - (due to the FY24 stipend increase).
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Research project will focus on molecular mechanisms of negative states. At the hub of reinforcement learning is the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The NAc is a heterogeneous region primarily composed of two non-overlapping cell types: D1 and D2 dopamine receptor expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MSNs are GABAergic projections neurons that, due to a highly negative resting state, depend
on excitatory synaptic input to propagate information through this circuit. Excitatory synaptic drive and neural adaptations in NAc D1 MSNs is implicated in positive affective states such as drug seeking behavior, less is known about the function of D2 MSNs. A few studies suggest adaptations in D2 MSN function correlates with negative affective states such as stress and drug withdrawal. Dr. Bjornson’s
research will identify and manipulate the cell-type specific physiological adaptations that underlie negative affective states associated with neuropsychiatric conditions including depression. This will be done using ex vivo whole-cell patch clamp techniques combined with novel pharmacological manipulations; Drugs Acutely Restricted by Tethering (DARTs). Dr. Bjornson will also define the temporal dynamics of
MSN neural activity and transcriptional profile during negative reinforcement using in vivo fiber photometry in collaboration with Dr. Erin Calipari. The contribution of excitatory synaptic drive onto MSNs to behaviorally induced changes in transcriptional profile will be
determined
Core Accountabilities:
Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.
Core Capabilities :
Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.
Position Qualifications:
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Experience Level :
Education
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Vanderbilt Health recognizes that diversity is essential for excellence and innovation. We are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. EOE/AA/Women/Minority/Vets/Disabled