Research Specialist D

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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 D

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist D

Job Description Summary

The Research Specialist D will support translational HIV research focused on HIV persistence and cure strategies by conducting molecular virology, sequencing, cloning, cell culture, and biospecimen-based experiments. The position also supports day-to-day study and laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, data management, trainee supervision, and scientific collaboration and dissemination.

Job Description

The Infectious Diseases Division within the Department of Medicine is seeking a full time Research Specialist D to work as part of Dr. Katharine Bar's translational HIV research lab, with a focus on understanding how HIV persists through antiretroviral therapy and how we can improve HIV cure strategies. The candidate will process human and animal biospecimens, perform HIV sequencing, cloning, and phenotypic testing, requiring both molecular virology and tissue culture skills. Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Research Specialist will also be responsible for various day-to-day study operations including maintaining study databases, compliance with all IRB and regulatory documentation, and assisting with the preparation of materials to disseminate study results as needed. Experienced candidates will have the opportunity to work closely with and provide supervision of graduate and undergraduate students based on experience and interest. The Research Specialist should also be able to work closely with external partners, such as collaborating scientists and laboratories.

DUTIES:

· Design, perform, and analyze molecular virology experiments, including HIV-1 env and full-length virus cloning, virus isolate generation, virus replication and entry experiments, sequencing, and infectivity assays.

· Perform molecular techniques including PCR, DNA isolation from bacteria and viruses, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and assay development.

· Perform cell culture-based assays to assess virus phenotype.

· Process human and animal biospecimens, including blood and tissues, and organize specimens in a laboratory inventory management system.

· Perform virus sequencing and sequence analysis in collaboration with bioinformaticians; manage sequence and experimental data.

· Analyze and synthesize experimental results, generate figures, and communicate and present results at internal and external meetings.

· Draft figures and contribute to manuscript and grant development.

· Maintain a daily laboratory notebook and attend research team meetings.

· Perform general laboratory duties, including reagent preparation, ordering supplies, and basic laboratory cleaning and maintenance.

· Maintain regulatory compliance and IRB documentation.

· Manage and oversee the work of students and research assistants, including graduate and post-doctoral students.

· Maintain relationships and collaborate with external partners and community organizations.

CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING

Qualifications

• Master of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• PhD preferred.
• Experience with molecular biology and sequencing is required.
• Experience working with viruses in cell culture strongly preferred.
• Experience processing biospecimens, including blood and tissues is preferred.
• Prior experience working with viruses and BSL II agents is preferred. HIV research experience required.
• Applicants with prior publications and presentations in biomedical science preferred.
• Strong computer skills are essential.
• Candidates must be detail-oriented with excellent communication and interpersonal skills including when working closely students; ability to multi-task; and flexibility to shift focus between multiple projects as needed

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $76,973.25 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