Research Specialist D

Research Specialist D

This Research Specialist D position will advance new therapeutics towards the clinic and contribute to the scientific work that will be published from the lab. Its focus will be testing new engineered T cells, evaluating their functional activity as a single agent or in combination to enhance therapeutic T cell performance, particularly in tumor microenvironments. This position will require strong immunological skills including CAR T cell manufacturing, flow cytometry, ELISA, and in vitro assays, as well as in vivo mouse studies, with a goal to enhance the therapeutic index of these therapies and understand their resulting impacts within the tumor microenvironment.

The primary function of this Research Specialist D position will be to perform in a supportive and independent manner in vitro and in vivo mouse studies, colony maintenance, and day-to-day management of the research bench, all carried out for the BRITE Lab under the direct supervision of Nour Shobaki. The purpose of this position is to establish mouse studies by generating and characterizing engineered immune therapeutics, growing and developing tumor cells, performing injections, monitoring animal health, weight, and therapeutic responses, collecting datasets from the study (tumor growth, therapeutic engraftment, histology, ex vivo assays), and contributing to the evaluation, presentation, and publication of results.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform immunological functional assays in vitro including CAR T cell manufacturing, flow cytometry, and ELISA. Evaluate immune therapies using established protocols and contribute to development of new methods implementing state-of-the-art techniques
• Perform immunological functional assays in vivo. Execute mouse studies using established protocols and contribute to development of new protocols under the direction of the lab supervisor.
• Modify and prepare tumor cells and engineered immune therapies for in vivo mouse experiments, documenting their characteristics and performing assays defining functional performance.
• Monitor and collect datasets associated with animal studies including health monitoring and weights, tumor growth (caliper, bioimaging), bleeds, and necropsies. Perform IV, IT, IP, and SC injections of tumor cells and therapeutics.
• Prepare tissues at necropsy by fixing and isolating cells for functional and flow cytometric analysis, IHC, and spatial transcriptomic studies.
• Document experimental data, perform data analysis, and prepare presentations of results under the guidance of the lab director for lab meetings and manuscript contributions.
• Manage day-to-day research bench operations including reagent inventory, equipment upkeep, and protocol organization to ensure smooth lab function.
• Characterize transgenic mice and maintain colony.

Position is funded for one year with the possibility of being extended.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master of Science in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field with 3–5 years of relevant research experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Hands-on experience with in vitro immunological assays including flow cytometry, ELISA, cell culture, and co-culture killing assays
• Experience with in vivo mouse models including tumor inoculation, therapeutic administration, and monitoring
• Experience with CAR T cell or other engineered immune cell manufacturing
• Strong organizational and documentation skills

Preferred:

• Experience with tissue processing techniques including IHC and spatial transcriptomics
• Experience with bioimaging for tumor growth assessment
• Characterize transgenic mice and maintain mouse colonies including immunodeficient strains (e.g., NSG), supporting both genetic models and xenograft studies.
• Experience supporting or contributing to IND (Investigational New Drug) studies
• Prior contribution to peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent experiments
• Knowledge/understanding in spatial transcriptomics and bioinformatics is a plus.
• Knowledge/understanding in microbiology is a plus.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $76,973.25 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…