Research Specialist A / Laboratory Technician 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 TitleResearch Specialist A / Laboratory Technician

Job Profile TitleResearch Specialist A

Job Description Summary-- Assists and conducts experiments to meet research project objectives
-- Performs routine duties to ensure smooth operation of the laboratory
-- Daily management of laboratory tools, documentations, and processes to ensure regulatory compliance and timely completion of project/program deliverables
-- Closely collaborates with Postdoctoral Fellows and Principal Investigators (PIs) on experimental work set ups in accordance with established protocols

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

The Department of Psychiatry is looking for a research specialist to join our basic neuroscience and immunology laboratory focused on the study of microglia, the brain's resident macrophages. The candidate will be expected to perform experiments using molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology techniques to pursue our research, including in mouse experimental models. The candidate will perform these experiments under supervision to assist graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and will be responsible for associated record keeping, data analysis and presentation. The candidate will also contribute to aspects of lab management including aliquoting, genotyping, making solutions, monitoring reagents stocks, and ordering reagents to keep stocks maintained. Prior experience in tissue culture, molecular cloning, flow cytometry, analysis of scientific literature, statistical programming, and mouse handling and husbandry are desired. The candidate will be expected to solve problems and work independently, with supervision. Our research team is highly collaborative and values teamwork and mentoring.

Responsibility Breakdown:

-- Perform in vitro and in vivo experiments making use of sterile cell culture, immunostaining, microscopy, viral transduction, western blotting, cell isolations from tissues, cell transplantation, and tissue harvesting in mouse models

-- Assist graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in their experiments

-- Perform molecular biology experiments, including cloning and RNAseq

-- Make stock solutions, aliquot reagents, monitor stocks of supplies, order reagents and supplies, autoclave solutions, and maintain biosafety compliance records

-- Keep detailed records of experimental work in a lab notebook

-- Animal colony husbandry

-- Analysis of gene expression, flow cytometry, and imaging data, and figure creation

-- Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science and 0-1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Preferred skills include cell culture, laboratory mouse handling and husbandry, cell and molecular biology, histology, biochemistry, cell engineering, flow cytometry, microscopy, and scientific programming.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / SchoolPerelman School of Medicine

Pay Range$43,888.00 - $55,000.00 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

the pay range assigned to the job profile.

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

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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 Apply Now