"Research Specialist A (Department of Neurosurgery)"

Research Specialist A (Department of Neurosurgery)

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.

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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 (Department of Neurosurgery)

Job Profile Title
Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary
Plans and conducts basic experiments to meet research project objectives, with close supervision. Assists in performing laboratory experiments and clinical studies for product or material formulation and development. Daily management of laboratory tools, documentations and processes to ensure regulatory compliance and timely completion of project/program deliverables.

Job Description
Our lab at The University of Pennsylvania is seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated, and highly motivated Research Specialist to assist with daily lab responsibilities and research projects. The focus of our lab's research is at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, and brain tumor biology. The primary goal of our translational research is to understand mechanisms of immune evasion by primary malignant brain tumors and skull base tumors to generate novel immune-based therapies. The specialist will be closely working with the Principal Investigator and other lab members on the collection and processing of patient tumor and blood samples, laboratory experiments using a wide array of techniques, and daily management of laboratory orders and maintenance.

The research specialist will work in a collaborative team on ongoing research projects involving patient specimen and mouse models. The research will involve work with a combination of high-dimensional single cell immune and genomic profiling, spectral flow cytometry, metabolomics, and advanced tumor organoid and mouse models. S/he will work cooperatively with laboratory members and collaborate with other groups (both laboratory and clinical) on campus. Ideally, the research specialist will develop a high level of independence with the ability to devise novel experiments and critically analyze projects.

Job responsibilities:

• Processing of patient tumor and blood specimen for banking and downstream experiments
• Single cell multi-omic analysis including single cell RNA sequencing and single nuclei RNA and ATAC sequencing
• Perform multi-dimensional flow cytometry
• Perform metabolomic experiments and analysis using mass spectrometry
• Perform co-culturing and stimulation experiments using in-vitro organoid models
• Potential future maintenance of mouse colony with tumor implantation, administration of therapy, tissue harvesting, and blood collection in mouse models
• Potential future involvement in analysis of patient samples from ongoing translational clinical trials.

While a general understanding/experience with immunology and metabolomic techniques is preferred, no prior experience in the above techniques is required. The Principal Investigator is committed to a longitudinal, dynamic mentorship model and will train the specialist in the above techniques. Additional responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: (1) assisting with writing standard laboratory/research operations documentations; (2) maintaining logs, laboratory reports/inventory, and ordering supplies. Highly motivated individuals will have the opportunity to expand their research portfolio through co-authorship on scientific manuscripts and will be encouraged to participate in educational/research conferences.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Science or related field and 0 to 1 year of laboratory experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Candidate must have strong organizational skills, good written and verbal communication skills and ability to learn new techniques and analytical methods. The ability to work in a collaborative environment.

This position is contingent on funding.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range
$44,500.00 - $51,750.00 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.

University Benefits
(Details on benefits such as Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts, Tuition, Retirement, Time Away from Work, Long-Term Care Insurance, Wellness and Work-life Resources, Professional and Personal Development, University Resources, Discounts and Special Services, Flexible Work Hours, Penn Home Ownership Services, and Adoption Assistance.)