Research Specialist C/D

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 59,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Time off and wellness programs

Job summary

The Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Research Specialist C to join a cutting-edge histology team. You will perform precise tissue processing, cryostat and microtome sectioning, and multi-technique staining to produce publication-grade images.

You will train staff, develop new techniques, and contribute data for grants, manuscripts, and high-profile publications in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science required with 3–5 years of experience or equivalent.
• Experience in histology, cryostat, microtome, and tissue processing is essential.
• Familiarity with RNA in situ hybridization techniques and 3D spatial methods preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform tissue embedding and sectioning (paraffin, agarose) and immunohistochemistry on slides.
• Quantitate RNA transcripts using RNAScope and optimize probes across multiple targets.
• Execute 3D spatial transcriptomics and related histology platforms.
• Collaborate with senior staff to plan projects and prepare data for manuscripts and grants.
• Maintain well-organized histology databases and lab notebooks.

Skills

Histology techniques

Tissue processing

Education

Bachelor of Science

Tools

RNAScope

10X Visium

Immunohistochemistry

Job description

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 Specialist C/D

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist C

Job Description Summary

The Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking to hire a highly skilled histopathologist as a Research Specialist C to join a dynamic and cutting-edge research team exploring regenerative lung biology. The Research Specialist C position will be responsible for working independently to perform precision tissue processing via cryostat, vibratome and microtome to produce extremely thin and uniform histological slices, perform complex histological techniques including hematoxylin and eosin staining, novel antibody staining/quality control testing, antigen retrieval processes, in situ hybridization, RNAScope, 3D spatial techniques such as 10XVisium and other emerging imaging techniques. The candidate will also be expected to train and supervise laboratory stuff on histopathology protocols and maintain large histology databases for the institute. They will also be expected to interact daily with senior researchers to jointly produce publication quality staining and images, contribute to the development of new techniques, generate data for top tier research publications and grant applications, assist with general laboratory maintenance duties and be given the opportunity to accomplish independent research projects and advance their own education.

Job Description

This position is contingent upon favorable funding.

Research Specialist C

Job Responsibilities

• Perform tissue paraffin and agarose embedding and perform various sectioning techniques such as Microtome, Cryostat and Vibratome and Compresstome tissue sectioning (microns thick) of human and mouse samples and perform immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and affinity based chemical reactions on these slides for downstream antigen analyses.
• Perform highly sensitive methodologies to quantitate RNA transcript levels (RNAScope), optimizing RNA probes across multiple transcripts and combine with traditional immunohistochemistry techniques.
• Perform 3D spatial transcriptomics and other 3D histology next generation sequencing platforms.
• Collaborate with senior lab members to discuss projects and results, develop independent long term project goals, assist with the generation and preparation of data for the submission of manuscripts and grants.
• Ensure that paraffin embedded sections are carefully organized and catalogued for human and mouse biorepository and databases for antibodies and all experimental conditions and results are recorded and maintained.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Research Specialist D

Job Responsibilities

• Perform tissue paraffin and agarose embedding and perform various sectioning techniques such as Microtome, Cryostat and Vibratome and Compresstome tissue sectioning (microns thick) of multiple species of samples and perform immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and affinity based chemical reactions on these slides for downstream antigen analyses
• Perform highly sensitive methodologies to quantitate RNA transcript levels (RNAScope), optimizing RNA probes across multiple transcripts and combine with traditional immunohistochemistry techniques.
• Perform 3D spatial transcriptomics and other advancing and new histology technology platforms are developed.
• Collaborate on research experiments with senior lab members to discuss projects and results, develop independent long term project goals, assist with the generation and preparation of data for the submission of manuscripts and grants and routinely present data in lab meetings and provide ad hoc histology training as needed to new staff
• Ensure that paraffin embedded sections are carefully organized and catalogued for human and mouse biorepository and databases for antibodies and all experimental conditions and results are recorded and maintained. Maintain a well documented lab notebook for all research projects.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$58,506.00 - $77,000.00 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 protectedunder 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 benefitsto 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