Translational Cancer Research Specialist - Organoids & PDX

University of Pennsylvania; United (PA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Life, and flexible spending

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

Wellness and work-life resources

Professional and personal development

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania (Perelman School of Medicine) seeks a Research Specialist C to perform translational preclinical breast cancer research using organoids, PDX models, and cell culture systems.

You will work with investigators to evaluate therapies, including radiotherapies, and study treatment response and mechanisms of cancer cell death, with hands-on animal studies and mammalian cell culture, and design experiments with minimal oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 3–5 years of experience or equivalent combination is required.
• Position is contingent upon Grant Funding.

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, and passage breast cancer PDX models, including tumor implantation, monitoring, tissue collection, cryopreservation, and tracking of model identity and passage history.
• Conduct in vivo treatment studies, including preparation and administration of study compounds, tumor measurements, body weight monitoring, and assessment of treatment response and tolerability.
• Perform animal handling, anesthesia, blood collection, necropsy, and tissue harvesting within approved protocols and institutional training requirements.
• Monitor animal health and study endpoints, maintain accurate animal records, and coordinate with veterinary and animal facility staff.
• Maintain breast cancer cell lines using aseptic technique, including routine culture, expansion, cryopreservation, and quality control.
• Conduct cell-based experiments to evaluate drug response, proliferation, viability, and mechanisms of cell death.
• Process tumor, blood, and other tissue samples for downstream cellular, molecular, and histologic analyses.
• Plan experiments with investigators, troubleshoot technical problems, optimize protocols, and organize and analyze experimental data.
• Maintain complete laboratory records and sample inventories; prepare figures and summaries for laboratory meetings, reports, and manuscripts.
• Maintain supplies and equipment needed for assigned studies and assist with training laboratory personnel in established methods.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

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

Job description

University of Pennsylvania (Perelman School of Medicine) seeks a Research Specialist C to perform translational preclinical breast cancer research using organoids, PDX models, and cell culture systems.

You will work with investigators to evaluate therapies, including radiotherapies, and study treatment response and mechanisms of cancer cell death, with hands-on animal studies and mammalian cell culture, and design experiments with minimal oversight.