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

Sr. Research Investigator (Department of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics)

Job Profile Title

Research Investigator, Senior

Job Description Summary

Working in partnership with the Principal Investigator and the Associate Director of Immunology of the Center for Cytokine Storm and Treatment Laboratory (CSTL), the Senior Research Investigator will conceptualize and develop the work-plans for current and future research projects that fall within the scope of currently funded grants. Working alongside the Associate Director of Immunology, the Senior Research Investigator will design, plan and execute experiments that will generate new insights into Castleman disease and other related inflammatory disorders. The Senior Research Investigator will collaborate with on-campus investigators and utilize core labs and resources to ensure optimal and efficient data generation. This individual will also interact with external partners (federal funding bodies, pharmaceutical collaborators, non-profit partners, external collaborators, etc.) from around the world to assure rapid progression of the science towards medical breakthroughs to help patients.

Position contingent upon funding.

Job Description

The Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory (CSTL) is entering a new era of unprecedented opportunity to address cytokine storm disorders with major unmet medical need, such as Castleman disease. Our discoveries in Castleman disease have set the stage for further successful treatments for devastating cytokine storm disorders. The CSTL combines ‘omic analyses of patient biospecimens, hypothesis-driven basic science research, and clinical data analyses to discover pathogenic drivers of disease and novel therapeutic approaches for cytokine storm disorders.

Due to the continued growth of our program, the CSTL, in partnership with the Division of Translational Medicine & Human Genetics and the Fajgenbaum lab, are searching for a talented, experienced, and motivated Senior Research Investigator to help conceptualize and perform Castleman disease and cytokine storm-related research primarily at the bench. Working in partnership with the Principal Investigator and Associate Director of Immunology, the Senior Research Investigator will collaborate and assist in the development of the work-plans for current and future research projects spanning the spectrum of translational research. The Senior Research Investigator will work with other members of the lab, including the Associate Director(s) of Clinical Research and Translational Research and Clinical Research Program Manager, to strategically plan and execute experiments that will generate new insights into Castleman disease and other related inflammatory disorders. The Senior Research Investigator will collaborate with on-campus investigators and utilize core labs and resources to ensure optimal and efficient data generation. This individual will also interact with external partners (federal funding bodies, pharmaceutical collaborators, non-profit partners, external collaborators, etc.) from around the world to assure rapid progression of the science towards medical breakthroughs that help patients.

On a day-to-day basis the Senior Research Investigator will work independently to design, optimize, implement, and execute complex experiments within specified timelines. They will oversee and perform different imaging techniques including immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and other tissue-based assays, high-dimensional flow cytometry, sequencing, and additional studies as needed to provide novel and important insights into disease drivers. The Senior Research Investigator will interpret results, present research both externally and internally, and contribute to writing/reviewing grants and manuscripts, progress reports, protocols, and SOPs. He or she will report directly to the Associate Director of Immunology of the CSTL and help train and mentor other laboratory personnel. Qualified candidates will have expertise in microscopy, flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing techniques, and an advanced understanding of human biology and immunology. This is a unique opportunity to join a highly motivated, patient-focused team that works closely with international collaborators to make and publish novel discoveries that will have a significant impact on patients who have diseases with major unmet medical need. Joining the CSTL offers scientific professionals the unique opportunity of growing his/her leadership experience, seeing his/her research go from bench to bedside, and making discoveries that could lead to cures for deadly conditions such as COVID-19 and Castleman disease.

DUTIES:

• Design and ensure successful execution of experiments while working cross-functionally with team members, collaborators, core labs and resources.
• Perform imaging-based experiments including high-dimensional immunofluorescence and other tissue-based assays, and others as needed.
• Support with training, supervising, and mentorship of laboratory personnel, graduate students, and scientific collaborators. This duty includes troubleshooting projects both independently and as part of a team within specified timelines.
• Contribute to the data management, advanced analytics, interpretation, presentation, and manuscript writing/development for peer-reviewed publication for laboratory studies led by the CSTL and Fajgenbaum Lab.
• Collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator and Associate Director of Immunology to identify key research questions, conceptualize/design scientific studies to address them, support grant writing, engage key collaborators, and write and submit reports and publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Emerge as a technical/scientific subject matter expert for the assigned scientific discipline/disease area of cytokine storms
• Participate in and present at scientific meetings and conferences.
• Review, edit, format, and support manuscripts for publication and of grant proposals
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• PhD/MD/DVM and 5 to 7 years of postdoctoral experience required. Experience in Immunology, Hematology, Microbiology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, or related field with knowledge of immunology or related field with knowledge of immunology required.
• Direct experience performing microscopy and imaging techniques required
• Strong, proven supervisory and management experience desirable
• Experience with human biology, immunology, or hematology desirable
• Experience studying inflammatory, hyper-cytokine states or lymphoproliferative disorders desirable
• Experience working with cell lines and animal models a plus
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter with a strong desire to contribute and work collaboratively to achieve goals.
• Ability to work independently and apply critical thinking and sound judgment
• Ability to work with and take a leadership role in a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to perform high-level report writing and presentation skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members
• Excellent oral/written communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong computer/technology skills including QuPath or other imaging analysis software, FlowJo, Prism, and MS PowerPoint.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$43,888.00 - $100,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check 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.

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