Research Specialist D

Research Specialist D

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in
Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research,
and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks
among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World
Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide
opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,
all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to
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who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of
Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban
campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and
recreational activities. With its historical significance and
landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of
atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for
work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes
excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their
families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of
professional development opportunities, supportive work and family
benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources,
and much more.

Posted Job Title

Research Specialist D

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist D

Job Description Summary

The Research Specialist D will support translational HIV research
focused on HIV persistence and cure strategies by conducting
molecular virology, sequencing, cloning, cell culture, and
biospecimen-based experiments. The position also supports
day-to-day study and laboratory operations, regulatory compliance,
data management, trainee supervision, and scientific collaboration
and dissemination.

Job Description

The Infectious Diseases Division within the Department of Medicine
is seeking a full time Research Specialist D to work as part of Dr.
Katharine Bar's translational HIV research lab, with a focus on
understanding how HIV persists through antiretroviral therapy and
how we can improve HIV cure strategies. The candidate will process
human and animal biospecimens, perform HIV sequencing, cloning, and
phenotypic testing, requiring both molecular virology and tissue
culture skills. Under the supervision of the Principal
Investigator, the Research Specialist will also be responsible for
various day-to-day study operations including maintaining study
databases, compliance with all IRB and regulatory documentation,
and assisting with the preparation of materials to disseminate
study results as needed. Experienced candidates will have the
opportunity to work closely with and provide supervision of
graduate and undergraduate students based on experience and
interest. The Research Specialist should also be able to work
closely with external partners, such as collaborating scientists
and laboratories.

DUTIES:

• Design, perform, and analyze molecular virology experiments,

including HIV-1 env and full-length virus cloning, virus isolate
generation, virus replication and entry experiments, sequencing,
and infectivity assays.

• Perform molecular techniques including PCR, DNA isolation from

bacteria and viruses, restriction enzyme digestion, gel
electrophoresis, DNA amplification by the polymerase chain
reaction, DNA sequencing, and assay development.

• Perform cell culture-based assays to assess virus

phenotype.

• Process human and animal biospecimens, including blood and

tissues, and organize specimens in a laboratory inventory
management system.

• Perform virus sequencing and sequence analysis in collaboration

with bioinformaticians; manage sequence and experimental
data.

• Analyze and synthesize experimental results, generate figures,

and communicate and present results at internal and external
meetings.

• Draft figures and contribute to manuscript and grant

development.

• Maintain a daily laboratory notebook and attend research team

meetings.

• Perform general laboratory duties, including reagent preparation,

ordering supplies, and basic laboratory cleaning and
maintenance.

• Maintain regulatory compliance and IRB documentation.
• Manage and oversee the work of students and research assistants,

including graduate and post-doctoral students.

• Maintain relationships and collaborate with external partners and

community organizations.

CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING

Qualifications

• Master of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent

combination of education and experience is required.

• PhD preferred.
• Experience with molecular biology and sequencing is

required.

• Experience working with viruses in cell culture strongly

preferred.

• Experience processing biospecimens, including blood and tissues

is preferred.

• Prior experience working with viruses and BSL II agents is

preferred. HIV research experience required.

• Applicants with prior publications and presentations in

biomedical science preferred.

• Strong computer skills are essential.
• Candidates must be detail-oriented with excellent communication

and interpersonal skills including when working closely students;
ability to multi-task; and flexibility to shift focus between
multiple projects as needed

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $76,973.25 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications,
experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the
requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges
based on external market data for the job's level. Internal
organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin
(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship
status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected
under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is
made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the
requirements of the job.

University 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.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,
color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin
(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship
status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected
under applicable federal, state, or local law.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Medical-School-John-Morgan-Bldg/Research-Specialist-D_JR00129020-1

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