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Research Specialist B/C (Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health - Simpkins Lab)

Employer
University of Pennsylvania
Location
Pennsylvania, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Mar 20, 2023

View more

Position Type
Administrative, Academic Affairs, Research Administration
Employment Level
Administrative
Employment Type
Full Time


Research Specialist B/C (Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health - Simpkins Lab)

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.

COVID-19 vaccination or a University authorized exemption is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Research Specialist B/C (Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health - Simpkins Lab)

Job Profile Title
Research Specialist B

Job Description Summary
The Simpkins laboratory in the Ovarian Cancer Research Center is looking for a Research Specialist B/C in the lab - particularly with cell and tissue culture and some basic laboratory techniques. Our research focuses on identifying novel targets and therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer with the ultimate goal to bring them to the clinic for women with ovarian cancer. Our laboratory has developed novel experimental models such as primary cells, patient-derived organoids, and patient-derived xenografts from ovarian tumors that have been characterized genomically and proteomically serving as excellent platforms to study drug resistance. We are looking for a highly motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic and loyal individual that is excited about doing research focused on development of therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer by testing of these drugs in in vitro and in vivo models. The Research Specialist will be closely working with Dr. Simpkins, Dr. Haineng Xu and other members of the Simpkins lab including research technicians, and post-doctoral fellows on publication-generating projects. The work will involve the use of cell culture and molecular biology as well as assisting the PDX team doing animal experiments. This position is also required to assist PI with lab management. Skills performing database management is required. S/he will be working in an environment that is team oriented, where creativity, flexibility, enthusiasm and dedicated effort are highly rewarded. Also, good communication, organization and basic problem solving skills are required. Should the need arise (rarely), this position also may involve work on weekends and evenings.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The primary Role of the Research Specialist B will be:

  • Cell culture including established cell lines, primary cancer cells, patient-derived organoids culture

  • Perform cytotoxicity assays to evaluate drugs in vitro

  • Study drugs mechanism by western blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and other assays under the supervision of senior scientists in the lab.

  • Analyze and organize data, present data to the lab and to collaborators

  • Assist with managing of mouse colony, care for mice, administer the drugs via oral gavage (training will be provided) and dosing scheduling

  • Assist with surgical procedures to develop patient-derived xenografts (PDX), measure the tumor size in mice using palpation and ultrasound (training will be provided)

  • Necropsy and bio-bank the tissue samples (training will be provided)

  • Assist with processing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples

  • Manage general lab operations, and maintain cell line and PDX database

  • Attend the lab meetings

  • S/he will be also responsible for general laboratory duties.

  • Expect candidate to function on some level of independence

  • Occasionally may have to work on weekends and evenings as project needs require, flexibility with hours is required. Multi-tasking is important.

    Research Specialist C:

    Will have the duties outlined above for a Research Specialist B, with the additional expectation that s(he) will have more years of working experience, and show a higher degree of independence, including the ability to design and troubleshoot experiments with greater autonomy and interpret study results with a lesser degree of input from supervisor(s).

    *Position is contingent upon funding*

    Qualifications

    Research Specialist -B Bachelor's degree with 1-3 years of experience in laboratory benchwork or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.. Experience with cell culture, molecular and cellular biology is preferred. Experience in working with mice, drug administration via oral gavage and survival surgeries is preferred but not necessary. Skill to use and manage database is preferred. Should be organized, detail-oriented, flexible, able to maintain organized laboratory data, work well with others and is a team player. Experience with routine lab management is a plus.

    Research Specialist -C Bachelor's degree with greater than 3-5 years of experience in laboratory benchwork and preclinical study methodologies or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.. Must have experience working with cell culture and in vitro assays. Experience in handling mice, drug administration via oral gavage and survival surgeries is preferred. Experience with necropsy and tissue banking is preferred. Experience in growing human primary cells is preferred. Should be organized, detail-oriented, able to maintain organized laboratory data, work well with others and is a team player.

    Job Location - City, State
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Department / School
    Perelman School of Medicine

    Pay Range
    $37,220.00 - $56,087.33
    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
  • 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.



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


To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Biomedical-Research-Building-2---12th-Floor/Research-Specialist-B-C--Center-for-Research-on-Reproduction-and-Women-s-Health---Simpkins-Lab-_JR00069473-1



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