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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…
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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 A/B
Job Profile Title
Research Specialist A
Job Description Summary
The Research Specialist A/B will join the Integrative Immunology & Cell Design Laboratory, led by Dr. Mo Haj-Dezfulian at the University of Pennsylvania.
The Research Specialist A/B will support experimental workflows involving mammalian and primary immune-cell culture, T cell receptor cloning and expression, antigen-presentation assays, pooled genetic and antigen-discovery screens, flow cytometry, cell sorting, next-generation sequencing library preparation, single-cell sequencing, and spatial genomic assays. The position will also support laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, sample organization, inventory management, equipment maintenance, SOP/ELN documentation, sample tracking, sequencing/library tracking, and coordination of routine experimental workflows.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities:
The Research Specialist A role is intended for a candidate with foundational research experience who will perform routine and moderately complex laboratory procedures under close supervision. The RSA will assist with molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry sample preparation, sequencing library preparation, single-cell sequencing sample preparation, pooled screening workflows, sample tracking, documentation, and general laboratory support.
In addition to the duties above, the Research Specialist B will be expected to work with greater scientific and technical independence. The RSB will contribute to experimental design, protocol optimization, troubleshooting, execution of complex multi-step assays, analysis and interpretation of experimental data, preparation of figures and research summaries, development or refinement of SOPs, and training of junior lab members. The RSB may independently coordinate established workflows involving primary human immune cells, engineered antigen-presenting cells, TCR-expressing reporter cells, pooled antigen or CRISPR screens, next-generation sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and spatial genomics.
The position is well suited for candidates who have recently graduated, or are soon to graduate, and are looking for a meaningful next step before applying to medical school, a PhD program, MD-PhD training, or a longer-term research career. The ideal candidate will have strong interest in immunology, antigen presentation, T cell biology, genomics, molecular biology, or cell engineering, and will be expected to contribute to research summaries, figures, posters, manuscripts, grant reports, lab meetings, project meetings, and, when appropriate, departmental or external scientific meetings.
Qualifications:
Research Specialist A - Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Research Specialist B - Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Additional Qualifications:
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and careful record-keeping.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research laboratory.
- Interest in cancer immunology, autoimmunity, T-cell biology, genomics, cell engineering, or related areas of biomedical research.
- Experience with flow cytometry, primary immune-cell culture, single-cell genomics, spatial profiling, or CRISPR-based screening.
- Familiarity with T-cell biology, antigen presentation, cancer immunology, autoimmunity, or immune-repertoire analysis.
- Basic computational skills, such as R or Python, for data QC, plotting, or routine analysis.
- Prior experience contributing to research projects, abstracts, manuscripts, posters, talks, or scientific presentations.
Position is contingent upon continued funding.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$45,278.00 - $63,600.00 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.
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