Research Asst I

Position Summary:

The Research Assistant is part of the Mechanical Engineering Department in the Dong Lab at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for evaluating airway medical devices in small- and large-animal models. 

The Research Assistant will plan, coordinate, and execute preclinical studies that assess device performance, usability, safety, and biological response in the airway. Responsibilities include developing test methods and study plans; preparing devices, fixtures, and instrumentation; supporting procedures under approved animal-use protocols and veterinary oversight; acquiring and analyzing physiological, imaging, and device-performance data; maintaining complete study records; and communicating results to the research team. The Assistant will collaborate with faculty, veterinarians, surgeons, research staff, students, and external partners to translate prototypes toward clinically relevant validation.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University advances research and education in biomedical devices, mechatronics and control, advanced manufacturing, rehabilitation engineering, surgical and soft robotics, nanoscience, and aerospace engineering. The Dong Lab develops innovative medical devices and robotic technologies for challenging clinical applications. This position will support the lab’s airway-device program by connecting engineering design with rigorous preclinical evaluation in close partnership with veterinary and clinical collaborators.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

The Research Assistant will perform complex technical and operational duties to ensure safe, reproducible, and well-documented preclinical testing. Responsibilities include:

• Preclinical Study Planning: translate research objectives into testable endpoints, study plans, acceptance criteria, schedules, equipment lists, and data-collection procedures for small- and large-animal studies.
• Animal Study Coordination:
  • Coordinate small-animal studies and large-animal studies with veterinary staff, clinical collaborators, core facilities, and the principal investigator.

Support study activities only under current IACUC-approved protocols, institutional policies, required training, and direction from qualified veterinary or clinical personnel.

• Prepare procedure rooms, devices, sterile supplies, airway models, imaging systems, sensors, ventilation-related equipment, and emergency backup equipment before each study.
  • Assist with airway-device placement and evaluation, bronchoscopy or other imaging workflows, physiologic monitoring, specimen handling, and post-procedure activities within the individual’s training and authorized role.
• Medical Device Engineering and Testing: design or modify prototypes, fixtures, delivery systems, and instrumentation; develop bench and ex vivo tests that inform animal studies; troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, fluidic, imaging, and software interfaces; and document device configuration and verification results.
• Data, Quality, and Documentation: acquire synchronized device, imaging, video, and physiological data; maintain traceable study records; analyze results using appropriate statistical and engineering methods; prepare figures, reports, presentations, and protocol materials; and contribute to design reviews, risk assessments, manuscripts, grant reports, and regulatory-facing documentation.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the lab faculty member, Dr. Xiaoguang Dong.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution is required; a master’s degree is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• At least 1 year of work experience is preferred, but not required so long as the list of requirements below can be met.
• Knowledge of animal-research compliance, IACUC protocols, biosafety, sterile technique, and humane study practices is required or must be acquired through Vanderbilt training before independent work.
• Ability to develop clear test methods, follow controlled procedures, maintain accurate records, and troubleshoot complex experiments is required.
• Proficiency with data analysis and technical documentation is required; experience with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, ImageJ, CAD, or equivalent engineering tools is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, scientists, veterinarians, clinicians, students, and external partners are required.
• Strong organizational, time-management, critical-thinking, safety-awareness, and problem-solving skills are necessary.
• Ability to work flexibly around scheduled animal procedures, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or extended study days, is required.
• Demonstrated experience with medical-device development, experimental engineering, or preclinical research is required; experience with both small- and large-animal studies is strongly preferred.
• Experience preparing and operating test instrumentation, sensors, imaging systems, data-acquisition hardware, and custom mechanical or mechatronic prototypes is preferred.
• Experience with airway procedures, bronchoscopy, intubation, ventilation, anesthesia monitoring, or respiratory physiology in a research or clinical environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience in an academic research, regulated product-development, or quality-managed laboratory setting is preferred.