"Research Specialist A, SAS- Earth and Environmental Science"

Job Description Summary

A full-time Research Specialist position is available in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science within the geomicrobiology laboratory of Dr. Ileana Perez-Rodriguez. The Research Specialist will culture thermophilic and hyperthermophilic anaerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms under both batch and chemostat conditions, perform epifluorescent microscopy, chemical analyses, and DNA extractions. Research activities also include training of students in the laboratory as well as routine data collection, interpretation and synthesis. Additionally, the work will include assistance with general maintenance of laboratory equipment and spaces and other managerial duties under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, able to work efficiently as part of an interactive team, while carefully recording and organizing experiments.

Job Responsibilities/Duties

The Research Specialist will apply microbiological and geochemical approaches for the study of anaerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms in the laboratory. The individual will collect, interpret and synthesize microbiological, chemical, and genomic data while contributing technical (scientific) writing. Research activities will also include training of students in the laboratory and experiments with occasional, brief off-hours sampling. The candidate will help with the general maintenance of the laboratory and other managerial duties under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator, including: scheduling laboratory meetings and events, laboratory purchase orders, maintenance of laboratory spaces/equipment, and on-call responsibilities in the rare event of a laboratory emergency. Opportunities will exist for the Research Specialist to present research findings at laboratory and national meetings (contingent upon funding) and to possibly obtain authorship on scientific manuscripts.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Science (in biology, microbiology, or other related fields) and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A Masters Degree in biology, microbiology, or other related fields is preferred. Strong organization and communication skills are required as well as adherence to correct procedures, complex protocols, and safety guidelines. The candidate must be self-motivated, reliable, responsible, and able to work effectively with other laboratory members.

Duties

Under supervision:

• Prepare culture media and other stock solutions.
• Culture thermophilic and hyperthermophilic anaerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms.
• Conduct time-series experiments, with occasional brief off-hours sampling.
• Data collection, synthesis and interpretation.
• Technical, scientific writing.
• Training of students in the laboratory.
• Maintenance of laboratory spaces and equipment.
• Laboratory purchase orders.
• On-call responsibilities for rare laboratory emergencies.
• Scheduling laboratory meetings and events.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position is a 1-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$44,500.00 - $53,000.00 Annual Rate

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Hayden-Hall/Research-Specialist-A--SAS--Earth-and-Environmental-Science_JR00116298