Research Specialist A

Research Specialist A

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. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

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.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Research Specialist A

Job Profile Title
Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary
Plans and conducts basic experiments to meet research project objectives, with close supervision. Assists in performing laboratory experiments and clinical studies for product or material formulation and development. Daily management of laboratory tool, documentations and processes to ensure regulatory compliance and timely completion of project/program deliverables. Closely collaborates with Senior Research Specialists and Principal Investigator (PI) on experimental/clinical work set ups in accordance to established protocols.

Job Description

This position has two equal components. The first component involves supporting the bio-banking efforts of the Liquid Biopsy Lab, and the second component includes providing research support to the Lab.

Bio-banking: The candidate will support various cancer studies by assisting the oncologists and clinical research coordinators with initiating and conducting participant screening and recruitment. The candidate will also independently develop participant recruitment strategies to increase patient enrollment. The candidate will also coordinate with clinical teams to arrange the study participants' procedures essential to both the clinical and research procedures. The candidate will attend the procedures to procure study specimens and process specimens in the laboratory using specific processing protocols and techniques. The candidate will be responsible for data entry into various databases including but not limited to REDCap, VELOS, and Excel. The Research Specialist will also independently design study databases and perform database quality-control with minimal supervision. The candidate will have the primary role in the abstraction of medical record information from subject's electronic medical records, interviews and/or questionnaires for entry into the study research databases, and actively track all enrolled study participants for follow up. Given the highly collaborative nature of this work and the need for coordination with multiple clinical trial investigators, excellent organization and communication skills are critical.

Research: The Research Specialist will provide research support by assisting in assay planning and experimentation. The candidate will carry out relevant literature searches and prepare literature reviews to support experimental design and analysis. This individual will independently conduct experiments aimed at interrogating patient samples to optimize approaches for the isolation and evaluation of circulating tumor material. The candidate will record samples and results in the study databases, conduct preliminary analysis, and prepare summary figures, and text for manuscripts. The candidate will coordinate sample shipment to study collaborators. The candidate will also independently develop laboratory workflows to improve sample processing, storage, and shipment. The individual will also assist other research specialists in the daily functions of the laboratory. This cutting-edge work will be done in a highly collaborative manner together with other Penn laboratories, physician scientists in the Penn School of Medicine, and industry partners. No animal research will be conducted in this role.

Experience with tissue culture and blood processing, including serum, plasma, and buffy coat, is desirable. Previous experience with EPIC, REDCap, and chart abstraction is preferred. Computer proficiency, with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Familiarity with medical terminology is a plus. The candidate is expected to be self-motivated and have the skill and confidence to work independently. Excellent communication, analytical, computer, and organizational skills are essential, as well as keen attention to detail and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment. Position contingent upon funding.

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

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

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
$36,368.00 - $50,522.66

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.

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

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Biomedical-Research-Building-2/Research-Specialist-A_JR00050213-2

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