Research Assistant - Cancer Institute

Research Assistant – Penn State Cancer Institute

The David and Jeanne Reager Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory in the Penn State Cancer Institute at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA is seeking to hire a Research Assistant who is highly motivated and detail-oriented to join our team focused on drug development for cancer therapeutics.

The Research Assistant will provide support for experimental projects, contribute with data generation, entry and organization and participate in figure preparation and manuscript writing while supporting the day-to-day functioning of the laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory experiments
• Responsible for handling and culturing cancer cells, preparing drugs and reagents for treatment conditions for experiments
• Perform and optimize experimental techniques and assays such as protein extraction/quantitation, DNA/RNA extraction, immunoblotting, PCR/RT-PCR, and flow cytometry
• Meticulously document experimental procedures and results, analyze data, and strengthen the rigor and reproducibility of experiments
• Contribute to troubleshooting and refining experimental protocols
• Present and discuss the progress of ongoing projects in laboratory meetings
• Contribute to data organization, figure preparation and manuscript writing
• Support overall laboratory organization and inventory management
• Maintain standards of safety and regulatory compliance of the laboratory

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field
• Prior laboratory experience with technical skills in cell culture
• Strong organizational skills in generating and analyzing data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with laboratory best practices and safety regulations

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education. Required

Certifications:

None

Background Checks/Clearances

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $36,888.00 - $53,532.00. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact .

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.