Research Specialist B/C

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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.

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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 B/C

Job Profile Title
Research Specialist B

Job Description Summary
The Platt Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Research Specialist to manage the biobanking, sample processing, quality control, data management, and logistics operations of the CayoBank Core of a newly funded NIA U19 grant studying aging heterogeneity in rhesus macaques. CayoBank is a multi-institutional biobank of archived specimens spanning the full lifespan and supporting transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses across 15 tissue types.

This position serves as the operational backbone of Penn-based biobank activities and requires precision, strong organization, and the ability to coordinate complex workflows across a multi-institutional network.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Research Specialist B

- Conduct laboratory research and biobank operations, including organ dissection, tissue aliquoting, blood-product processing, prospective sample intake, molecular-sample preparation, and standardized quality-control testing. Troubleshoot processing issues, assess sample quality, document results, and support downstream analyses.
- Participate in laboratory and biobank management, including ultralow-temperature storage, cold-chain monitoring, 2D barcoding, LIMS/CayoHub data entry, chain-of-custody records, multi-site shipping, regulatory documentation, inventory, SOPs, progress reporting, equipment maintenance, and laboratory organization.
- Train and supervise undergraduate students and rotating laboratory members on sample handling, aliquoting, safety practices, and LIMS/data-entry procedures; provide technical guidance for related projects.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Research Specialist C

- Lead complex laboratory research and biobank operations, including organ dissection, tissue aliquoting, blood-product processing, prospective sample intake, molecular-sample preparation, and advanced quality-control testing. Develop and optimize methods, resolve complex processing and sample-quality issues, interpret results, and recommend corrective actions for downstream analyses.

- Coordinate laboratory and biobank management across Penn and partner sites, including ultralow-temperature storage, cold-chain monitoring, 2D barcoding, LIMS/CayoHub data quality, chain-of-custody controls, multi-site shipping, regulatory documentation, inventory, SOP governance, progress reporting, equipment readiness, and workflow planning.

- Train and supervise students, research staff, and rotating laboratory members; establish competency expectations; provide scientific and technical guidance; and coordinate work assignments for biobank and sample-management activities.

- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Shared Detailed Responsibilities

Sample Processing and Dissection

•  Perform organ dissections from archived CayoBank specimens, including liver, adrenal gland, spleen, kidney, gastrointestinal regions, reproductive tissue, and skeletal muscle, following established protocols.

•  Generate tissue aliquots for RNA, DNA, protein, and metabolomics applications using appropriate volumes and storage conditions.

•  Process blood-derived samples, including PBMC isolation from buffy coat, plasma aliquoting, and serum preparation.

•  Coordinate workflows to minimize freeze-thaw cycles and preserve sample integrity; use validated frozen-aliquoting methods.

•  Assist with annual CayoField sample intake from Puerto Rico and distribute specimens to relevant project components.

•  Prepare cryotubes, sample boxes, labels, and workspaces before processing sessions.

Cold Storage and Shipment Monitoring

•  Maintain ultralow-temperature freezers, alarm systems, CO2 backup, temperature logs, preventive maintenance, and contingency storage plans.

•  Assign 2D barcode labels and record freezer, rack, box, and XY locations in CayoHub so samples can be located precisely.

•  Coordinate domestic and international shipments using dry ice or liquid-nitrogen vapor cryoshippers with real-time temperature monitoring and comply with IATA, DOT, institutional biosafety, and CITES requirements where applicable.

•  Prepare manifests, packing lists, customs records, and permits; inspect incoming shipments and document deviations.

•  Track outgoing shipments, confirm receipt, document temperature excursions, and coordinate with Penn biosafety, receiving docks, and partner laboratories.

Quality Control

•  Implement standardized QC procedures at receipt, processing, storage, and pre-analysis stages.

•  Conduct periodic QC checks on representative high-use tissues to evaluate RNA integrity, protein preservation, and other degradation indicators.

•  Evaluate RNA, DNA, and protein for quantity and purity using OD ratios, fragment-size distributions, RIN or DV200, and other relevant metrics.

•  Apply standardized thresholds, document exclusions, communicate findings, and maintain records in the project LIMS.

•  Distribute QC templates to partner sites and update handling protocols based on QC findings.

Data Management and Record-Keeping

•  Catalog specimens and aliquots in CayoHub or an equivalent LIMS, including barcode, storage location, status, and processing metadata.

•  Maintain CSV/Excel files for processing details, aliquot inventories, QC metrics, and shipments.

•  Maintain complete chain-of-custody documentation and an up-to-date laboratory journal.

•  Develop and maintain SOPs; document protocol changes and deviations.

•  Generate periodic reports on sample counts, assay readiness, QC pass rates, and cold-chain incidents.

•  Coordinate with the CayoHub team to upload, validate, and make metadata accessible to consortium members.

Laboratory Operations

•  Order and maintain cryovials, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, gloves, reagents, swabs, and other consumables; monitor reorder points.

•  Assist with training and supervision related to sample handling, aliquoting, and LIMS procedures.

•  Contribute to laboratory maintenance, including drug logs, animal-material logs, equipment organization, and Stemmler laboratory-space cleanliness.

Position is contingent upon funding.

Qualifications

Research Specialist B

- Bachelor of Science and 1 to 2 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Preferred qualifications:

- Experience with cryogenic biological shipping and IATA/DOT dangerous-goods compliance; certification or willingness to obtain it within six months of hire.

- Experience with a LIMS, biobank database, or 2D-barcoding workflow; familiarity with RNA/DNA extraction, PBMC isolation, plasma processing, and molecular quality-control methods.

Research Specialist C

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

Preferred qualifications:

- Substantial experience with biological sample processing, aliquoting, biobanking, chain-of-custody records, sample inventories, and molecular quality-control workflows.

- Demonstrated ability to develop or optimize laboratory methods, interpret quality-control results, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and maintain compliant workflows for BSL-2 biospecimens and cryogenic materials.

- Demonstrated project coordination, technical leadership, training, and communication skills, with the ability to independently manage priorities and coordinate work across multiple laboratories and institutions.
- Advanced experience coordinating cryogenic biological shipping and applying IATA/DOT dangerous-goods, institutional biosafety, and applicable CITES requirements; current certification preferred or willingness to obtain it within six months of hire.
- Experience administering or improving a LIMS, biobank database, 2D-barcoding workflow, or comparable sample-tracking system.

- Experience interpreting RNA integrity, OD-based purity, fragment-size, and related quality metrics, and translating findings into protocol or workflow improvements.

- Experience leading multi-site sample logistics, developing SOPs, preparing progress reports, and working with nonhuman-primate specimens or at an NHP research facility.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range
$50,875.00 - $68,000.00 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 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