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

The Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence (GBM TCE), under the leadership of Dr. Donald O’Rourke, is leading the GBM translational efforts at the University of Pennsylvania.  Our research program encompasses multifaceted immune-based therapeutic approaches to GBM, driven by access to primary tumor tissue through the Adult Brain Tumor Tissue Bank.  Through both academic and industry collaborations, the GBM TCE is one of the leading groups in novel approaches to GBM treatments.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Senior Research Investigator (SRI) under the direction of Dr. O’Rourke and Dr. Zev Binder, to assume the responsibility of development of novel immune-based therapeutics for the treatment of high-grade gliomas/glioblastoma/GBM in a translational neuro-oncology laboratory.

Initial studies of glioma treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy have shown the potential for this approach in gliomas. However, significant hurdles still remain, including identification of appropriate tumor targets, high-fidelity tumor modeling, and blunting of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.  The SRI will be expected to carry out such translational immunology studies, utilizing patient biospecimens and existing models to generate and test new therapies, based off of input from the group leaders.

 The SRI will work closely with other members of the lab as well as outside collaborators. She/he is furthermore part of a multidisciplinary team of translational scientists and clinicians, striving to develop the deep understanding needed to guide therapeutic application of immune-based approaches to GBM. The scientist is furthermore expected to write summary reports and papers.  Additionally, she/he will assist in the preparation of grants, presentations, and administrative reports.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct research of significant value in the basic and/or translational science area
• Plans, conducts, and manages research projects within the federal and institutional regulations and policies
• Collaborates with researchers, external agencies, and institutions to develop cooperative research initiatives
• Trains technical staff, students, and other lab personnel in lab procedures
• Assist in composing/developing applications for grants/contracts for funding of research projects
• Promotes free discussion, research progress, and overall morale
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and 5 years of experience required.

Position contingent upon funding

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range
$35,568.00 - $204,000.00

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.