Research Specialist A, SAS- Earth and Environmental Science

Research Specialist A, SAS- Earth and Environmental Science

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 A, SAS- Earth and Environmental Science

Job Profile Title
Research Specialist A

Job Description Summary
A full-time Research Specialist position is available in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science within the geomicrobiology laboratory of Dr. Ileana Perez-Rodriguez. The Research Specialist will culture thermophilic and hyperthermophilic anaerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms under both batch and chemostat conditions, perform epifluorescent microscopy, chemical analyses, and DNA extractions. Research activities also include training of students in the laboratory as well as routine data collection, interpretation and synthesis. Additionally, the work will include assistance with general maintenance of laboratory equipment and spaces and other managerial duties under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, able to work efficiently as part of an interactive team, while carefully recording and organizing experiments.

Job Description

Earth and environmental science combines elements of geology, physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics to study the Earth and its relationship with biological organisms. Areas of inquiry range from the atomic and molecular to the largest scales, from ancient times to the present and into the future. Research in the Department encompasses minerals and rocks, soils and sediments, mountains and landscapes, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and climate, fossilized and living organisms, and human impacts on the environment.


Job Responsibilities/Duties:

The Research Specialist will apply microbiological and geochemical approaches for the study of anaerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms in the laboratory. The individual will collect, interpret and synthesize microbiological, chemical, and genomic data while contributing technical (scientific) writing. Research activities will also include training of students in the laboratory and experiments with occasional, brief off-hours sampling. The candidate will help with the general maintenance of the laboratory and other managerial duties under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator, including: scheduling laboratory meetings and events, laboratory purchase orders, maintenance of laboratory spaces/equipment, and on-call responsibilities in the rare event of a laboratory emergency. Opportunities will exist for the Research Specialist to present research findings at laboratory and national meetings (contingent upon funding) and to possibly obtain authorship on scientific manuscripts.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor of Science (in biology, microbiology, or other related fields) and 0 to 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A Masters Degree in biology, microbiology, or other related fields is preferred. Strong organization and communication skills are required as well as adherence to correct procedures, complex protocols, and safety guidelines. The candidate must be self-motivated, reliable, responsible, and able to work effectively with other laboratory members.

Duties:

Under supervision:

• Prepare culture media and other stock solutions.
  
• Culture thermophilic and hyperthermophilic anaerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms.
  
• Conduct time-series experiments, with occasional brief off-hours sampling.
  
• Data collection, synthesis and interpretation.
  
• Technical, scientific writing.
  
• Training of students in the laboratory.
  
• Maintenance of laboratory spaces and equipment.
  
• Laboratory purchase orders.
  
• On-call responsibilities for rare laboratory emergencies.
  
• Scheduling laboratory meetings and events.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

This position is a 1-year term appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon funding.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range
$44,500.00 - $53,000.00 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


Equal Employment 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.


To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Hayden-Hall/Research-Specialist-A--SAS--Earth-and-Environmental-Science_JR00116298









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