Research Specialist A (Department of Neurosurgery)

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

About The Position

A Research Specialist A position is available in the Department of Neurosurgery. Dr. Chen's laboratory is interested in developing novel strategies for repairing brain circuitry. Projects in the lab involve the generation of structured neural tissues using stem cell biology and neural tissue engineering principles, the structural and functional characterization of these tissues, and the anatomic and functional integration of these tissues with the brain. The primary duty of this position involves cell culture maintenance of human stem cells and differentiating brain organoids and dissociated neurons from stem cell sources. Work may also include maintenance of primary rodent neurons. Additional duties include immunochemistry, 2-photon and confocal microscopy, PCR, other molecular biology techniques, and basic animal care. The research specialist will be expected to assist in general lab maintenance, supply ordering/tracking, and bookkeeping. Interested individuals will be encouraged to design experiments and co-author abstracts and publications. Opportunities available to present research at lab meetings and scientific conferences.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree and 0-1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
This position is contingent upon funding.

Responsibilities

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 tools, documentations and processes to ensure regulatory compliance and timely completion of project/program deliverables.
Cell culture maintenance of human stem cells and differentiating brain organoids and dissociated neurons from stem cell sources.
Maintenance of primary rodent neurons.
Immunochemistry, 2-photon and confocal microscopy, PCR, other molecular biology techniques, and basic animal care.
Assist in general lab maintenance, supply ordering/tracking, and bookkeeping.
Design experiments and co-author abstracts and publications.
Present research at lab meetings and scientific conferences.

Benefits

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
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.
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 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 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.
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.