Senior Research Investigator (Department of Neurodevelopment and Psychosis) at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

University OverviewThe 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 TitleSenior Research Investigator (Department of Neurodevelopment and Psychosis)

Job Profile TitleResearch Investigator, Senior

Job Description SummaryThe Gandal Lab at Penn/CHOP studies the genetic underpinnings of human brain and behavioral development throughout the lifespan, with a focus on better understanding and treatment neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. This Research Investigator role will help design, conduct, and oversee cutting edge experiments performing genomic profiling in human brain tissues and cell culture models of the developing brain. The incumbent will assist the principal investigator and play a leading role in developing an experimental genomic research program to advance our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. The Research Investigator will oversee workflow and productivity and provide training on specific experimental techniques as necessary. The Research Investigator will also contribute to data analysis, preparation of manuscripts and grant applications, and presenting research findings through various forums.

Job Description

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest and one of the finest medical schools in the United States. Penn is rich in tradition and heritage and at the same time consistently at the forefront of new developments and innovations in medical education and research. Since its founding in 1765 the School has been a strong presence in the community and prides itself on educating the leaders of tomorrow in patient care, biomedical research, and medical education. http://www.med.upenn.edu/.

Research Investigator Senior

An NIH funded Research Investigator position is open in the Gandal Lab to investigate psychiatric genetic risk mechanisms in the developing human brain through single cell and long-read genomic sequencing techniques. The Gandal Lab leverages human brain functional genomics to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying genetic risk for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Specifically, we are looking for a Research Investigator to supervise and conduct single-cell and bulk tissue genomics experiments (e.g., short and long read RNA-sequencing, ATAC-sequencing) in human brain tissue and stem-cell based models of the developing human brain. Applicants with a PhD in a biological discipline with wet lab experience running sequencing based genomics assays are encouraged to apply. Computational experience is preferable but not required. The candidate will be embedded within a multidisciplinary team and will have opportunities to lead international collaborations, such as with the PsychENCODE Consortium (resource.psychencode.org).

Responsibilities and Duties

· Design, implementation, and analysis of single cell RNA and multi-omic sequencing data using human brain tissues and neuronal cell culture models

· Design, implementation, and analysis of third-generation long read RNA-sequencing experiments using human brain tissues and neuronal cell culture models

· Presentation of results at local, national, and international conferences and workshops

· Writing of manuscripts

· Contributing to grant applications

Qualifications

MD, PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree and 5 years of postdoctoral experience required. The successful candidate should have a demonstrated ability for independent and critical thinking, strong oral and written communication skills in English, and at least one first author publication.

Background check required. Position contingent on funding.


Working Conditions
Office, Library, Computer Room; Requires extensive safety


Physical Effort
Typically sitting at a desk or table; Occasional lifting 25 lb. or less

Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / SchoolPerelman School of Medicine

Pay Range$43,888.00 - $110,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

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

University Benefits

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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  

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

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