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.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, the School is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health. http://www.vet.upenn.edu/

The Lennon laboratory is seeking a motivated, organized, and energetic Research Specialist to help establish a new laboratory at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, continuing the work of a principal investigator who has relocated to Penn.

You will work in a supportive, team-based atmosphere in a small, growing group dedicated to studying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects people as well as dogs and cats. We are a comparative and translational laboratory using in vitro, murine, and naturally-occurring canine models of disease. We believe that by studying dogs with IBD, who share our homes, environment, and food, we will be able to discover new treatments for IBD, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life for people and pets with this debilitating disease: One Health, One Medicine.

Our group is particularly interested in mast cells, best known for their role in allergy and anaphylaxis, but which also function to dampen inflammation. We are investigating their role in tissue repair and wound healing to discover novel treatments for IBD. You would will be responsible for performing and organizing laboratory experiments to more fully define anti-inflammatory and pro-healing properties of mast cells in a cutting-edge research environment based in one of America’s most vibrant, exciting metropolitan hubs.

Our group actively participates in the University of Pennsylvania Immunology Graduate Group (http://www.med.upenn.edu/immun/) and Institute for Immunology (http://www.med.upenn.edu/ifi/), as well as the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group (https://www.med.upenn.edu/camb/).

The Research Specialist will be given the opportunity to lead and contribute to projects, and authorship on scientific manuscripts is expected.

The successful candidate will be able to work independently and will be thorough and efficient in planning and carrying out experimentation. Troubleshooting and redesigning experiments will be expected, and a knowledge of proper experimental controls is necessary. This position requires assisting graduate students and postdoctoral students with their research studies. The successful candidate will have excellent intrapersonal skills and will be comfortable working collaboratively with students, research assistants, and principal investigators.

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Experience and skills in protein analysis (Western blot, immunofluorescence, ELISA, multicolor flow cytometry), primary cell culture, molecular biology (mRNA isolation, qPCR), and animal handling is preferred. Veterinary experience is not necessary. Willingness to receive and process clinical samples for research purposes, including evening and weekend work as needed is required. Computer literacy, strong communication and organizational skills, strict attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a collaborative environment and the ability to analyze and troubleshoot experimental conditions are required.

Level A: All of the above qualifications
Level B: All of the above qualifications, plus 1-3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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.