Research Specialist A/B

University of Pennsylvania

About The Position

The primary function of this position is to serve as a research technician with some lab management duties in a neuroscience laboratory studying basal ganglia circuitry and mouse behavior. The role centers on performing head-fixed behavioral experiments, genotyping, and day-to-day lab organization. The technician will also assist with coordination of the mouse colony and general lab operations. A successful candidate will be highly reliable, well-organized, and comfortable managing recurring responsibilities that are essential for keeping experiments and lab workflows running smoothly. The position requires strong communication skills, good time management, and the ability to work both independently and as a central member of a collaborative team. Commitments longer than 2 years will be viewed favorably.

Requirements

For Research Specialist A: Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
For Research Specialist B: Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Major in biology, neuroscience, or related life sciences, familiarity with PCR, behavioral workflows, or colony management, strong interpersonal skills and ability to contribute positively to lab culture, interest in longer-term commitment to develop deeper technical expertise all strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Head-fixed behavioral assays: training animals, running rigs, troubleshooting sessions, maintaining behavioral records.
Genotyping: PCR setup, documentation, and organization of multiple transgenic lines.
Lab management: ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, ensuring equipment organization, interfacing with vendors and core facilities.
Colony coordination: helping maintain accurate breeding/lineage records, weaning schedules, and communicating colony needs to the team.
The Research Specialist B will perform the same duties listed for the Research Specialist A but will work more independently and will be assigned additional lab management tasks.
The Research Specialist B will also be responsible for management of undergraduate student workers.

Benefits

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
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.
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 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 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.
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.