Research Specialist A

Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary

This is a Research Specialist A position. The Research Specialist will play an integral role in managing day-to-day activities in the Center for Host-Microbial Interactions at PennVet - a research group that includes undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers - that collaborates broadly across the veterinary school and university in projects related to microbiology and infectious diseases (see hostmicrobe.org for more information on the lab).

Job Description

The primary responsibility in this role involves managing all aspects of our high-throughput sequencing (HTS) projects to study genes and genomes during infection. Responsibilities for HTS work will include everything from engaging collaborators to assist in experiment planning; executing technically challenging ‘wet-lab' experiments that transform raw biological samples into DNA suitable for sequencing; operating sophisticated state-of-the-art instrumentation used for sequencing; and troubleshooting failed experiments.

Job Responsibilities

• Bench work associated with the preparation of libraries for high-throughput sequencing experiments
• Bench work associated with quality assurance and quality control for sequencing experiments
• Bench work associated with the extraction of DNA and/or RNA from raw samples
• Handle billing aspects of the center, including but not limited to preparing quotes and invoices for labs seeking services from our center
• Communicating with client labs to provide updates on project status
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

This position is contingent upon grant funding.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. To be successful in this role, one has to be extremely organized, have a keen attention to detail, be efficient in record keeping, be patient and an excellent communicator, and be a hard worker. Prior experience with high-throughput sequencing is a definite plus, but is not required since on-the-job training is available. All activities will be coordinated with close oversight from the supervisor and Director of the center, Dr. Daniel Beiting, and Technical Director, Dr. Lisa Mattei.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$44,500.00 - $50,000.00 Annual Rate