Research Specialist B/C

University of Pennsylvania

17h•$50,875 - $68,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Platt Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Research Specialist to manage biobanking, sample processing, quality control, data management, and logistics for the CayoBank Core of a newly funded NIA U19 grant studying aging heterogeneity in rhesus macaques. CayoBank is a multi-institutional biobank of archived specimens spanning the full lifespan and supporting transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses across 15 tissue types. The position is the operational backbone of Penn-based biobank activities and requires precision, strong organization, and coordination of complex workflows across a multi-institutional network. The posting describes Research Specialist B and C levels. Duties include processing archived and prospective samples; maintaining sample integrity, cold storage, inventories, quality-control records, and chain-of-custody documentation; coordinating shipments and regulatory records; managing specimen data in CayoHub or an equivalent LIMS; developing SOPs and reports; and training and supervising students and laboratory members. The B level conducts research and biobank operations and supports related projects. The C level leads complex operations, develops and optimizes methods, interprets QC results, recommends corrective actions, coordinates activities across Penn and partner sites, and provides technical leadership. The position is contingent upon funding. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Perelman School of Medicine. The listed annual pay range is $50,875 to $68,000, with offers based on qualifications and other stated factors. Background checks may be required after a conditional offer.

Requirements

Research Specialist B: Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Research Specialist C: Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Research Specialist B: Experience with cryogenic biological shipping and IATA/DOT dangerous-goods compliance; certification or willingness to obtain it within six months of hire.
Research Specialist B: Experience with a LIMS, biobank database, or 2D-barcoding workflow.
Research Specialist B: Familiarity with RNA/DNA extraction, PBMC isolation, plasma processing, and molecular quality-control methods.
Research Specialist C: Substantial experience with biological sample processing, aliquoting, biobanking, chain-of-custody records, sample inventories, and molecular quality-control workflows.
Research Specialist C: Ability to develop or optimize laboratory methods, interpret quality-control results, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and maintain compliant workflows for BSL-2 biospecimens and cryogenic materials.
Research Specialist C: Project coordination, technical leadership, training, and communication skills, including the ability to independently manage priorities and coordinate work across multiple laboratories and institutions.
Research Specialist C: Advanced experience coordinating cryogenic biological shipping and applying IATA/DOT dangerous-goods, institutional biosafety, and applicable CITES requirements; current certification preferred or willingness to obtain it within six months of hire.
Research Specialist C: Experience administering or improving a LIMS, biobank database, 2D-barcoding workflow, or comparable sample-tracking system.
Research Specialist C: Experience interpreting RNA integrity, OD-based purity, fragment-size, and related quality metrics, and translating findings into protocol or workflow improvements.
Research Specialist C: Experience leading multi-site sample logistics, developing SOPs, preparing progress reports, and working with nonhuman-primate specimens or at an NHP research facility.

Responsibilities

Conduct or lead laboratory research and biobank operations, including organ dissection, tissue aliquoting, blood-product processing, prospective sample intake, molecular-sample preparation, and quality-control testing.
Dissect archived CayoBank specimens, including liver, adrenal gland, spleen, kidney, gastrointestinal regions, reproductive tissue, and skeletal muscle, following established protocols.
Prepare tissue aliquots for RNA, DNA, protein, and metabolomics applications; process blood-derived samples, including PBMC isolation, plasma aliquoting, and serum preparation.
Coordinate processing workflows to minimize freeze-thaw cycles and preserve sample integrity, and prepare cryotubes, sample boxes, labels, and workspaces.
Assist with annual CayoField sample intake from Puerto Rico and distribute specimens to relevant project components.
Maintain ultralow-temperature freezers, alarm systems, CO2 backup, temperature logs, preventive maintenance, and contingency storage plans.
Assign 2D barcodes and record specimen locations and metadata in CayoHub or an equivalent LIMS.
Coordinate domestic and international cryogenic shipments; prepare manifests, packing lists, customs records, and permits; inspect incoming shipments; track deliveries and receipt; and document deviations and temperature excursions.
Comply with applicable IATA, DOT, institutional biosafety, and CITES requirements for shipping and specimen handling.
Implement and conduct standardized quality-control procedures at receipt, processing, storage, and pre-analysis stages; assess RNA, DNA, and protein quality using relevant metrics; document exclusions and findings; and communicate results.
For the Research Specialist C level, develop and optimize methods, resolve complex processing and sample-quality issues, interpret results, and recommend corrective actions for downstream analyses.
Catalog specimens and aliquots; maintain processing, inventory, QC, shipment, chain-of-custody, and laboratory-journal records; document protocol changes and deviations; and generate periodic reports.
Develop and maintain SOPs, distribute QC templates to partner sites, and update handling protocols based on QC findings.
Coordinate with the CayoHub team to upload and validate metadata and make it accessible to consortium members.
Order and maintain laboratory consumables, monitor reorder points, and contribute to laboratory maintenance, logs, equipment organization, and laboratory-space cleanliness.
Train and supervise undergraduate students, students, research staff, and rotating laboratory members in sample handling, aliquoting, safety, and LIMS/data-entry procedures.
For the Research Specialist C level, establish competency expectations, provide scientific and technical guidance, coordinate work assignments, and coordinate biobank and sample-management activities across Penn and partner sites.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children, including eligible tuition assistance at other institutions for dependent children.
Basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans with pre-tax or Roth savings options.
Substantial time away from work during the year.
Long-term care insurance.
Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
Professional and personal development resources.
Access to University resources, libraries, athletic facilities, cultural activities, and recreational facilities.
Discounts and special services, including arts, entertainment, transportation, and other goods and services.
Flexible work options and flexible work hours.
Forgivable home-ownership loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia.
Adoption expense reimbursement for eligible employees, for up to two adoptions in the household.