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

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary

The Research Specialist A/B will join the Integrative Immunology & Cell Design Laboratory, led by Dr. Mo Haj-Dezfulian at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Research Specialist A/B will support experimental workflows involving mammalian and primary immune-cell culture, T cell receptor cloning and expression, antigen-presentation assays, pooled genetic and antigen-discovery screens, flow cytometry, cell sorting, next-generation sequencing library preparation, single-cell sequencing, and spatial genomic assays. The position will also support laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, sample organization, inventory management, equipment maintenance, SOP/ELN documentation, sample tracking, sequencing/library tracking, and coordination of routine experimental workflows.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

The Research Specialist A role is intended for a candidate with foundational research
experience who will perform routine and moderately complex laboratory procedures under close
supervision. The RSA will assist with molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, flow
cytometry sample preparation, sequencing library preparation, single-cell sequencing sample
preparation, pooled screening workflows, sample tracking, documentation, and general
laboratory support.

In addition to the duties above, the Research Specialist B will be expected to work with greater
scientific and technical independence. The RSB will contribute to experimental design, protocol
optimization, troubleshooting, execution of complex multi-step assays, analysis and
interpretation of experimental data, preparation of figures and research summaries, development
or refinement of SOPs, and training of junior lab members. The RSB may independently
coordinate established workflows involving primary human immune cells, engineered antigenpresenting cells, TCR-expressing reporter cells, pooled antigen or CRISPR screens, nextgeneration
sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and spatial genomics.
The position is well suited for candidates who have recently graduated, or are soon to graduate,
and are looking for a meaningful next step before applying to medical school, a PhD program,
MD-PhD training, or a longer-term research career. The ideal candidate will have strong interest
in immunology, antigen presentation, T cell biology, genomics, molecular biology, or cell engineering, and will be expected to contribute to research summaries, figures, posters,
manuscripts, grant reports, lab meetings, project meetings, and, when appropriate, departmental
or external scientific meetings.

Qualifications:

Research Specialist A - Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Research Specialist B - Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and careful record-keeping.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research laboratory.
• Interest in cancer immunology, autoimmunity, T-cell biology, genomics, cell
engineering, or related areas of biomedical research.

Experience with flow cytometry, primary immune-cell culture, single-cell genomics,
spatial profiling, or CRISPR-based screening.
• Familiarity with T-cell biology, antigen presentation, cancer immunology, autoimmunity,
or immune-repertoire analysis.
• Basic computational skills, such as R or Python, for data QC, plotting, or routine
analysis.
• Prior experience contributing to research projects, abstracts, manuscripts, posters, talks,
or scientific presentations.

Position is contingent upon continued funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$45,278.00 - $63,600.00 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, 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