Research Assistant Jobs in Nashville, TN
Research assistant jobs in Nashville are concentrated in Vanderbilt University's Medical Center and West End corridor, the Midtown biomedical district, and the growing healthcare and tech hubs downtown, with strong demand across academic research, clinical trials, and health policy. Employers hiring right now include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, and Tennessee Oncology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 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 is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness 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:
PMI Molecular PathogenesisJob Summary:
JOB SUMMARYProvide, under direct supervision, support for specified research projects; collect, assess, and communicate data/results. Assist in general laboratory operation and inventory.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Under supervision, run experiments, assays, and record results • Read and follow experimental protocols (May include animal handling, tissue culture, etc.) • Compile and communicate results to supervisor • Follow University safety protocols (may include use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogenics) • Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions • Prepare and operate equipment in experimental procedures • May include blood gas analyzer, centrifuge, pH meter, spectrophotometer, autoclave, scintillation counter, electrophoresis unit, analytical balance, etc. • Maintain and repair equipment according to manufacturer and university guidelines. • Ensure Laboratory is prepared for experiments • Maintain inventories, • Maintain sterile conditions as required • Prepare reagents • Clean equipment.
Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.
World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.
Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions , the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff.
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:
Responsibilities:
Certifications :
Work Experience :
Relevant Work ExperienceExperience Level :
Less than 1 yearEducation :
Bachelor'sThis role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.
See All 18 Research Assistant Jobs in Nashville
Find roles in Nashville that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Assistant JobsResearch Assistant Job Market in Nashville
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Research Assistant Jobs in Nashville: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research assistant job in Nashville?
Nashville's research hiring is driven by its large academic medical centers, health policy organizations, and a growing life sciences sector, so candidates who target those employer types directly gain an edge. Roles concentrate along the West End and Vanderbilt corridor, in the downtown healthcare district, and at institutions in Berry Hill and MetroCenter. Relevant lab skills, clinical trial exposure, or experience with qualitative data analysis all stand out in this market.
Which companies hire research assistants in Nashville?
Employers hiring research assistants in Nashville right now include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, and Tennessee Oncology, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Nashville's employer mix skews toward academic medical centers, health system research divisions, and health-focused policy and consulting organizations.
Are there remote research assistant jobs in Nashville?
Yes, though it depends heavily on the role: hands-on lab, clinical, or specimen-handling positions are almost always on-site, while literature review, data coding, survey analysis, and policy research roles are frequently remote or hybrid. About 0% of research assistant openings tied to Nashville are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. Analytical and desk-based research functions at Nashville's health policy and consulting employers tend to offer the most scheduling flexibility.
How can I get a research assistant job in Nashville with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Nashville is through a volunteer or paid research coordinator position at one of the city's large academic medical centers or teaching hospitals, where entry-level openings are more frequent than at private firms. Community health organizations in North Nashville and Antioch also hire junior research staff for program evaluation work. Familiarity with REDCap, survey platforms, or basic statistical software gives candidates a concrete edge when competing for those first roles.
Which industries hire the most research assistants in Nashville?
The sectors hiring the most research assistants in Nashville are Education and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Nashville's identity as a national center for healthcare services and health technology means those sectors consistently generate the bulk of local research assistant demand.
See All 18 Research Assistant Jobs in Nashville
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Find Research Assistant Jobs