Research Specialist A

University of Pennsylvania

20h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Research Specialist A position. The Research Specialist will play an integral role in managing day-to-day activities in the Center for Host-Microbial Interactions at PennVet – a research group that includes undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers – that collaborates broadly across the veterinary school and university in projects related to microbiology and infectious diseases. The primary responsibility in this role involves managing all aspects of our high-throughput sequencing (HTS) projects to study genes and genomes during infection. Responsibilities for HTS work will include everything from engaging collaborators to assist in experiment planning; executing technically challenging ‘wet-lab’ experiments that transform raw biological samples into DNA suitable for sequencing; operating sophisticated state-of-the-art instrumentation used for sequencing; and troubleshooting failed experiments.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
Extremely organized
Keen attention to detail
Efficient in record keeping
Patient and an excellent communicator
Hard worker

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with high-throughput sequencing

Responsibilities

Bench work associated with the preparation of libraries for high-throughput sequencing experiments
Bench work associated with quality assurance and quality control for sequencing experiments
Bench work associated with the extraction of DNA and/or RNA from raw samples
Handle billing aspects of the center, including but not limited to preparing quotes and invoices for labs seeking services from our center
Communicating with client labs to provide updates on project status
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare
Flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
Tuition assistance for employees, your spouse, and your dependent children at Penn
Tuition assistance for your dependent children at other institutions
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) to help you save for your future, with pre-tax or Roth basis options through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year (relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family)
Long-term care insurance (in partnership with Genworth Financial) for faculty and staff (and eligible family members)
Wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance
Array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally
Access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities (libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, Penn Museum, Annenberg Center, Penn Relays)
Discounts and special services (arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks)
Flexible work options (non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures) for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments
Forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia (for closing costs or home improvements)
Reimbursement for 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