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 scholarship and learning.

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.

Job Description Summary

Plans and conducts basic  experiments to meet research project objectives, with close supervision. Assists in performing laboratory experiments. Daily management of laboratory tool, documentations and processes to ensure timely completion of project/program deliverables.   Closely collaborates with Senior Research Specialists and Principal Investigator (PI) on experimental work set ups in accordance to established protocols.

Job Description

Research Specialist A:

Research position will perform neurodegenerative disease research in the drug discovery group, with the expectation that s(he) will utilize a variety of biochemical and histological methodologies and techniques within the laboratory. In particular, the position will entail research to support an ongoing NIH-funded program in which we seek to develop drug candidates for Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases. This will include studies to evaluate the biological activity of selected compounds in cell-based assays, as well as assessing the effect of compounds on neurodegenerative phenotypes observed in transgenic mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. Required methodologies include cell culture and biochemical assays, such as SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting and ELISA, as well as mouse husbandry, mouse perfusion to allow harvesting of brain, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence evaluation of brain pathologies and cellular phenotypes thorough staining of brain tissue sections. The researcher must also be capable, with moderate input from supervisor(s), of interpreting study results, troubleshooting technical problems, and presenting organized study results to the PI and to lab staff and in meetings.   

Position will be required to keep an electronic notebook, and overseeing, organizing and preparing lab reagents.

Research Specialist B:

Will have the duties outlined above for a Research Specialist A, with the additional expectation that s(he) will show a higher degree of independence, including the ability to design and troubleshoot experiments with greater autonomy and interpret study results with a lesser degree of input from supervisor(s). Research Specialist B candidates are expected to have an M.S. degree or at least 2 years of prior research experience after obtaining a B.S. degree.

Qualifications Research Specialist A

Bachelor's Degree with 0-1 year of related experience in research and clinical study methodologies or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Research Specialist B

Bachelors with 1-3 years of related experience in research and clinical study methodologies or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Working Conditions
Office, Library, Computer Room; Requires extensive safety

Physical Effort
Typically sitting at a desk or table; Occasional lifting 25 lb. or less

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range
$35,568.00 - $57,600.00

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

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