Research Specialist A/B

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

16d

About The Position

The Maxwell Laboratory in the Penn Medicine Basser Center for BRCA’s Men & BRCA Program is looking for a highly motivated, scientifically inquisitive and dedicated individual to join a translational cancer genomics laboratory as a research technician. The Maxwell laboratory studies the role of inherited DNA repair genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53, in breast and prostate tumor formation, primarily using human tissues and cell line models. The Research Specialist A/B will be responsible for the processing of primary biospecimens from patients such as blood, fresh tissue, frozen tissue and paraffin embedded tissues. They will also establish primary cell lines and organoid models from human tissues. The Research Specialist A/B will be responsible for maintenance of the tissue culture room including but not limited to: maintenance of immortalized cell lines, sub-passage, and quality control (ie Mycoplasma testing and cell line authentication). The Research Specialist A/B will work with the Maxwell Lab’s clinical research staff for coordination of biospecimen procurement and processing from a variety of clinical settings. The Research Specialist A/B will assist the Maxwell Lab’s Laboratory Manager to maintain overall master sample databases. Bachelor’s degree in biological or chemical sciences with laboratory experience required; prior work experience in a biological sciences laboratory setting preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Position is contingent upon continued funding.

Nice To Haves

prior work experience in a biological sciences laboratory setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Drive a research project (collect, analyze and interpret data, and present data at group meetings)
Help in the general running of the lab, including: ordering, receiving items, and maintaining lab organization
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Conduct laboratory research, troubleshoot problems, analyze data, design new research experiments along with research publications, and prepare presentations.
Participate in lab management and help support lab set up and operations, oversee ordering, organization and maintenance of reagents, equipment, and protocols.
Train and supervise other lab members as needed, provide scientific and technical expertise and guidance for other ongoing projects
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

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.