Research Specialist C/D

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

41d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Specialist C/D position in The Center for Cellular Immunotherapies will support research efforts in CAR T-cell therapy development by performing complex in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Requirements

Research Specialist C
Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Demonstrated proficiency in tissue culture techniques and basic molecular biology methods.
Extensive in vivo experience with mouse models, including NSG/syngeneic tumor modeling, intravenous (IV),
Ability to follow established protocols accurately and maintain detailed records.
Strong organizational skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Research Specialist D
Master’s degree (Biology, Immunology, or a related scientific discipline) and 3 to 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in flow cytometry, including panel design, multiparametric analysis, and data interpretation.
Extensive in vivo experience with mouse models, including NSG/syngeneic tumor modeling, intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), and orthotopic injections, tumor measurements, blood sampling, and tissue harvesting.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills to implement assigned projects and troubleshoot technical issues.
Ability to work independently to manage daily research projects, data collection, and laboratory organization.
Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with molecular biology techniques, including gene editing and cloning.
Familiarity with CAR T-cell manufacturing processes and human primary lymphocyte cultures.
Experience with imaging modalities for tumor monitoring.
Experience with molecular biology techniques, including gene editing and cloning.
Familiarity with CAR T-cell manufacturing processes and human primary lymphocyte cultures.
Experience with imaging modalities for tumor monitoring.
Ability to analyze and present data using statistical and graphing software.

Responsibilities

In vitro experiments
Prepare cell culture materials, media, and reagents.
Follow established protocols and maintain accurate experimental records.
Isolate, transduce, transfect, electroporate, expand, formulate, and cryopreserve human T lymphocytes.
Perform in vitro experiments to assess T cell phenotype and function (flow cytometry and cocultuure assays).
Perform molecular assays, optimize experimental conditions.
Follow standardized protocols and optimize methods to establish in vivo tumor models (IP, IV, orthotopic, subcutaneous) and monitor responses to various cell therapies.
Perform injections, tumor measurements, imaging, bleeding, necropsy, and tissue harvesting.
Data Acquisition, Analysis, Summarization, Reporting/Presentation
Maintain organized, real-time records of experiments for traceability and reproducibility.
Keep accurate data records into laboratory notebooks and group folders and provide data as needed.
Present data to supervisor and in small group meetings.
General support to laboratory
Maintain laboratory organization and inventory.
Collaborate with team members to achieve research goals.
Ensure compliance with ethical standards and proper handling of animals and hazardous materials.
In addition to the duties listed, the Research Specialist D will design panels and perform multiparametric flow cytometry for phenotypic characterization of engineered T cells and co-cultures; analyzes datasets using appropriate software.
Design, plan and carry out molecular assays.
Independently develop protocols, ensure data collected is verified, complete and consistent and properly recorded in digital folders and lab notebook.
Provides data summaries, tables, graphs and figures for reports and presentations.
Train students and new members on general laboratory procedures, providing advice and mentorship on technical procedures

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.
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.
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.
From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff.
Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments.
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.