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University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Research Specialist C/D

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist C

Job Description Summary

Plans and conducts complex research activities to advance project objectives. Oversees study documentation and processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely completion of deliverables. Collaborates with investigators on study design, selection or adaptation of assessment tools, implementation of research methods, and laboratory experiments. May be responsible for research team performance management.

Job Description

A research specialist position is available in the Folkert lab in the Department of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated individual with a background in cell biology and/or immunology to work in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, students, residents, and/or graduate students to study the immune response to peritoneal surface malignancies, including appendix cancer, colon cancer, and peritoneal mesothelioma. A successful candidate would be detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently to lead scientific progress in the lab in conjunction with the Principal Investigator. Training and/or expertise in computational biology, including single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics is preferred. This position will be an excellent opportunity to gain experience performing basic and translational research using patient-derived specimens and mouse models of cancer. The research specialist will have significant independence to drive and lead projects in the lab, with the goal of publication in high-impact journals, and the chance to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary setting.

The successful candidate will perform a broad range of routine laboratory tests and procedures to support medical and scientific research. Performs experiments and basic cell biology and immunology techniques, including cell culture, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry and histology. Collects specimens from the operating room and processes them for downstream assays including cell culture, RNA extraction, sequencing and flow cytometry. Performs mouse experiments including tumor transplants, tumor volume measurements and drug treatments. Works to develop a slice culture and organoid model from human tumor specimens. Assists the Principal Investigator and other researchers with experiments and provides laboratory support through preparation of media and reagents, equipment upkeep, supply ordering, inventory, and overall lab organization. This role is ideal for individuals with prior laboratory experience who are passionate about basic and translational tumor immunology, are driven, independent, and eager to expand their technical and scientific skills.

Research Specialist C Job Responsibilities:

+ Design and carry out experiments independently to meet research project objectives.

+ Conduct laboratory research, troubleshoot problems, analyze data, design new research experiments along with research publications, and prepare presentations.

+ Processing samples, including collecting samples from the operating room and processing for downstream applications. Preparation and shipping of samples when needed.

+ Collect blood or tissue samples from patients.

+ Maintaining a detailed log/database of collected specimens.

+ Maintain and passage cell cultures.

+ Optimize novel in vitro culture systems, including slice culture and organoid models.

+ Perform murine tumor transplants, tumor volume measurements and drug treatments.

+ Provide scientific and technical guidance for ongoing projects.

+ Train and supervise other lab members as needed, provide scientific and technical expertise and guidance for other ongoing projects.

+ Maintain organized laboratory records and ensure compliance with safety protocols.

+ Maintain inventory of lab supplies, order supplies, oversee general laboratory maintenance and safety compliance

+ Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Research Specialist D Job Responsibilities:

+ Plan and carry out experiments to achieve short and long-term research goals for the lab developed in collaboration with the primary investigator.

+ Independently conduct laboratory research, including the design and execution of experiments, troubleshoot problems, analyze data and prepare figures for publication based on data generated, design future experiments based on goals and preliminary data, draft manuscripts based on data generated.

+ Processing samples, including collecting samples from the operating room and processing for downstream applications. Preparation and shipping of samples when needed.

+ Collect blood or tissue samples from patients.

+ Maintaining a detailed log/database of collected specimens.

+ Maintain and passage cell cultures.

+ Optimize novel in vitro culture systems, including slice culture and organoid models.

+ Perform murine tumor transplants, tumor volume measurements and drug treatments.

+ Train and supervise other lab members as needed, provide scientific and technical expertise and guidance for other ongoing projects.

+ Maintain organized laboratory records and ensure compliance with safety protocols.

+ Maintain inventory of lab supplies, order supplies, oversee general laboratory maintenance and safety compliance.

+ Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

+ In addition to the qualification outlined under Research Specialist C, Research Specialist D will be expected to be proficient in bioinformatic tools and programming languages (e.g. R, Python). He/She will not only prepare specimens for single-cell sequencing, but also independently analyze single cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data, amongst other sequencing datasets. Experience with spatial transcriptomics is advantageous but not required, provided the candidate is willing to continue to expand their skillset.

+ The Research Specialist D will also work with the principal investigator to develop new lines of inquiry, assist in writing grant proposals, and draft manuscripts/contribute as a primary author to research publications.

Qualifications:

Research Specialist C - Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Research Specialist D - Master of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required

The Ideal Candidate Will Reflect the Following:

• Experience working with mice in a rodent barrier facility

• Familiarity with drug administration (preferred)

• Experience with necropsy and tissue banking (preferred)

• Proficiency in tissue culture, including human primary cells

• Proficiency in flow cytometry

• Familiarity with basic laboratory techniques such as RT-qPCR and Western Blotting

• Proficiency in basic bioinformatics, including single-cell RNA-seq (preferred)

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to maintain accurate and organized laboratory data

• Effective communication and teamwork skills

• Flexibility with work hours

Position is contingent upon continued funding

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$57,500.00 - $76,973.25 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.