Associate Director, Discovery Research (Gene Therapy Program)
- Employer
- University of Pennsylvania
- Location
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Salary
- Salary Not specified
- Date posted
- Apr 7, 2023
View more
- Position Type
- Faculty Positions, Health & Medicine, Other Health & Medicine
- Employment Level
- Administrative
- Employment Type
- Full Time
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Associate Director, Discovery Research (Gene Therapy Program)
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
Associate Director, Discovery Research (Gene Therapy Program)
Job Profile Title
Associate Director E, Research
Job Description Summary
The Gene Therapy Program (GTP) is entering a new era of unprecedented opportunity with the great potential to reshape the face of medicine, as we know it. Our discoveries have set the stage for successful treatments and possibly even cures for devastating genetic diseases. GTP is a complex R&D organization consisting of research laboratories supported by multiple core functions which provide internal capacity to perform gene transfer studies from basic research through Phase 1 proof-of-concept human trials.
The laboratory of Dr. Jim Wilson, at GTP of the University of Pennsylvania has been a leader in the development of innovative vector technology for close to three decades. We have emerged as the "go-to" organization for public and private partners, who want to participate in the gene therapy space. Currently we are positioned to lead another round of vector innovation and establish pre-clinical and clinical proof-of-concept in therapeutic applications of in-vivo genome editing.
Continuation of all GTP positions is contingent upon funding.
Job Description
Due to continued growth of our program, we are searching for a new Associate Director, Discovery Research to lead gene therapy-related research projects, performing both theoretical and bench research in the areas of next generation adeno-asssociated viral vectors (AAV) engineering and vector discovery.
As an Associate Director you will work with the director to understand the research objectives and essential details that will contribute to developing a work-plan for various projects. You will lead, design, develop, and perform experiments to engineer the AAV capsid for tissue specific transduction. In each case, you will be working in the setting of large interdisciplinary teams, where you will function in the execution of in vitro and in vivo experiments while working with core labs and resources. Working independently, you will perform design, optimize, and implement complex experiments within specified time lines.
Studies will involve both in vitro and in vivo molecular biology, protein engineering, immunology, and biochemistry techniques including but not limited to cloning, PCR (primer design and ability to troubleshoot), tissue collection, cell culture, plasmid purification, and flow cytometry. You will participate in the design and execution of animal studies in various animal models that include, but are not limited to, mice and non-human primates (NHP) to characterize transgene expression and safety profiles from recombinant AAVs. You will develop and conduct assays to determine the viral load in various tissues (e.g. lung, brain, liver) following viral challenge. You will computationally analyze genomics data, prepare scientific presentations, and participate in manuscript preparation. You will be able to work independently to develop collaborations with co-workers and peers at other labs and to troubleshoot as needed.
This position offers the opportunity to develop your leadership skills along with your bench-work skills. As, you will also be required to manage at least 2 direct reports.
Joining GTP offers scientific professionals the unique opportunity of seeing their research go from bench to bedside and discoveries that could one day lead to cures.
Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in the field of molecular biology,
biochemistry, enzymology, virology, protein engineering, or related
field and minimum of 5 years of professional research experience or
equivalent combination of education and experience
required.
- Ph. D. / MD / DVM degree in the field of molecular biology,
biochemistry, enzymology, virology, protein engineering
preferred.
- Prior AAV capsid engineering experience is a plus.
- Must have the ability to develop novel protocols and
methods.
- Must be able to computationally analyze genomics data, prepare
scientific presentations, and participate in manuscript
preparation.
- Be able to work independently to develop collaborations with
co-workers and peers at other labs and to troubleshoot as
needed.
- The successful candidate must thrive in a team environment,
have excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to
prioritize in a fast-paced environment, and proficiency with
standard methods of data analysis.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$74,476.00 - $117,086.00
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/Translational-Research-Laboratories/Associate-Director--Discovery-Research--Gene-Therapy-Program-_JR00070175-1
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