Research Investigator Sr. at University of… · Huppy

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 Large Employers in 2023.

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.

Posted Job Title Research Investigator Sr.

Job Profile Title Research Investigator, Senior

Job Description Summary The Penn Image-Guided Interventions (PIGI) Laboratory in the Departments of Radiology and Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a highly motivated and organized Senior Research Investigator. The PIGI Laboratory is an interdisciplinary translational research program operating at the intersection of cancer biology, molecular imaging, and image-guided interventions. The laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach spanning molecular and cellular biology, cancer genetics, tumor immunology, cancer metabolism, animal models of cancer, advanced imaging technologies, and image-guided therapies, with the ultimate goal of developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients.

A major focus of the laboratory is understanding the biological mechanisms that govern response and resistance to locoregional therapies, including endovascular and percutaneous interventions, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Current research efforts emphasize characterization of the tumor microenvironment and its dynamic interactions with cancer cells, stromal elements, immune populations, and therapeutic interventions. The successful candidate will work closely with investigators in interventional radiology, cancer biology, pathology, immunology, and computational biology to develop and lead studies leveraging patient-derived models, clinical biospecimens, molecular profiling technologies, and preclinical models of cancer.

This position offers the opportunity to participate in an innovative and collaborative research environment, contribute to the strategic growth of a highly translational research program, supervise and mentor trainees and staff, and interact with a broad community of investigators within the Departments of Radiology and Cancer Biology, the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and the Abramson Cancer Center.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, and 5 to 7 years of postdoctoral experience is required.

Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania A Ph.D. in biological sciences such as cancer biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, bioinformatics or computational biology is required. In addition, the applicant must have completed post-doctoral training of at least 2 years duration with experience applying molecular biology and/or computational biology techniques to a cancer biology setting. Qualified individuals will be expected to oversee general lab operations and assist other lab personnel with experimental procedures and analysis as well as contribute to the strategic scientific direction of the lab including the development new projects and assistance with grant writing.

Technical depth in cell and molecular biology, with proven experience in advanced assays, including at least one of the following:

• Cancer genetics and functional genomics • Tumor immunology and immune profiling • Cancer metabolism and metabolic phenotyping • Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic technologies • Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analyses • CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering and functional screening approaches • Flow cytometry and immune-cell characterization • Development and characterization of patient-derived cancer models • Mouse models of cancer and therapeutic response studies

Data analysis: Comfortable handling large datasets and performing exploratory data analysis to rapidly generate data visualizations and tables of summary statistics. Experience using R or Matlab for data analysis is preferred; however, other approaches are also acceptable.

Experience designing experiments, supervising their execution, identifying sources of error and improving processes. Experience troubleshooting and optimizing molecular biology assays, training junior scientists and troubleshooting analytical issues.

Organizational and clear communication skills are a necessity, including the ability to work with, and present effectively, in cross-functional teams of scientists and clinicians.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with the development of mouse and rat models of cancer.

Knowledge of fluorescence markers and imaging with an understanding of basic absorption and emission spectroscopy.

Experience with IHC (immunohistochemistry) and ability to interpret IHC staining results on human tissue sections.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
• Contingent Upon Grant Funding

Department / School Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range $80,891.00 - $94,753.00 Annual Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements Background checks may be 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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay