Research Specialist A/B - Epidemiology Division

Summary: The University of Pennsylvania is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. They are seeking a full-time Research Specialist A/B in the Epidemiology Division to serve as the primary laboratory technician on multiple research studies, involving specimen processing, culturing bacteria, and overseeing laboratory operations. Responsibilities: - Specimen Processing: Perform techniques for sample processing (plating bacterial cultures, pipetting, vortexing, aliquot, and centrifugation) of human and environmental samples for identification of bacterial colonies; specimens can include anatomic samples (e.g., stool, urine, skin, respiratory) as well as environmental samples - Bacterial Storage & Library: use LabVantage lab inventory system to maintain organization of isolates and DNA collections. Preparing cell lysate cultures and organizing them for submission for whole genome sequencing - General laboratory duties including: recording results and methods in a daily lab notebook, data collection forms, REDCap database, and an Excel spreadsheet; reagent preparation, ordering supplies, basic lab cleaning, quality control, and maintenance - Bacterial Culturing Methods: Maintenance of bacteria, preparing culture liquid and solid culture media, isolation of pure colonies from mixed cultures, subculturing, freezing isolates for storage - Attend regular meetings with Penn team and collaborators and provide regular status reports - Perform bacterial growth rate and phenotypic assays using an automated plate reader - Biobanking: Organization and collection of isolates from the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory weekly or overseeing/working with student employee in this task. Maintaining list of biobanked isolates - Potentially perform molecular techniques including: PCR, DNA isolation from bacteria, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction, and DNA preps - Other duties and responsibilities as assigned Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's Degree with related experience working in biology or microbiology research - ability to communicate & teach - strong organizational skills - time management - proficiency in microbiological techniques (obtaining pure culture, subculturing, freezing isolates) - familiarity with Microsoft Office applications - REDCap and LabVantage experience preferred - Bachelor of Science and 0 to 1 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required for Research Specialist-A - Bachelor of Science and 1 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required for Research Specialist-B Preferred Qualifications: - Master's Degree and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is PREFERRED Required Skills: Microbiological techniques, Specimen processing, Bacterial culturing, Reagent preparation, Lab inventory management, Biobanking, Molecular biology techniques, PCR, DNA isolation, Restriction enzyme digestion, Gel electrophoresis, Data recording, REDCap, Microsoft Office, LabVantage Benefits: Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts, Tuition, Retirement, Time Away from Work, Long-Term Care Insurance, Wellness and Work-life Resources, Professional and Personal Development, University Resources, Discounts and Special Services, Flexible Work Hours, Penn Home Ownership Services, Adoption Assistance