Research Specialist a/B

University Overview

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.

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 Title

Research Specialist A/B - Epidemiology Division

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary

The Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (DBEI) and the Antimicrobial Resistance, Healthcare Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship (ARES) Research Collaborative at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a full-time Clinical Research Specialist (RS-A/B). The candidate will serve as the primary laboratory technician for the PI.

The Research Specialist will serve as the primary technician on multiple research studies. Position duties include: specimen processing, culturing bacteria, reagent and media preparation, organization and storage of bacterial isolates, biobanking, and participation as part of a research team. Position will potentially oversee work-study students and part-time laboratory technicians. This position is for 1-2 years with possible extension based on funding.

The Research Specialist B will perform all above duties and will oversee work-study students and part-time laboratory technicians.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Specimen Processing: Perform techniques for sample processing (plating bacterial cultures, pipetting, vortexing, aliquot, and centrifugation) of human and environmental samples for identification of bacterial colonies; specimens can include anatomic samples (e.g., stool, urine, skin, respiratory) as well as environmental samples.
• Bacterial Storage & Library: use LabVantage lab inventory system to maintain organization of isolates and DNA collections. Preparing cell lysate cultures and organizing them for submission for whole genome sequencing.
• General laboratory duties including: recording results and methods in a daily lab notebook, data collection forms, REDCap database, and an Excel spreadsheet; reagent preparation, ordering supplies, basic lab cleaning, quality control, and maintenance.
• Bacterial Culturing Methods: Maintenance of bacteria, preparing culture liquid and solid culture media, isolation of pure colonies from mixed cultures, subculturing, freezing isolates for storage.
• Attend regular meetings with Penn team and collaborators and provide regular status reports.
• Perform bacterial growth rate and phenotypic assays using an automated plate reader.
• Biobanking: Organization and collection of isolates from the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory weekly or overseeing/working with student employee in this task. Maintaining list of biobanked isolates.
• Potentially perform molecular techniques including: PCR, DNA isolation from bacteria, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction, and DNA preps
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree with related experience working in biology or microbiology research; ability to communicate & teach, strong organizational skills, time management, proficiency in microbiological techniques (obtaining pure culture, subculturing, freezing isolates); familiarity with Microsoft Office applications; REDCap and LabVantage experience preferred.  This position may require flexibility to work evenings/nights/weekends.

Research Specialist-A

Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Research Specialist-B

Bachelor of Science and 1 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Master's Degree and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is PREFERRED.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$44,500.00 - $57,335.40 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 protectedunder 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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