Research Specialist C (Department of Neurology)

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 C (Department of Neurology)

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist C

Job Description Summary

The Dowling Lab focuses on childhood muscle diseases, particularly muscle disorders that present in infancy, including congenital myopathies and congenital muscular dystrophies. Using a combinatorial approach that includes new gene discovery, model organism development, viral and non-viral gene therapies, and both targeted and large scale screening drug discovery approaches, the Dowling lab is dedicated to uncovering disease mechanisms and advancing therapy development.

Job Description

We are seeking a Research Specialist C with experience generating, characterizing and utilizing zebrafish models as well as experience with mouse preclinical models to contribute to our dynamic team. The successful candidate will oversee daily operations of the research program including animal colony management and directing experimental designs that involve zebrafish models, as well as mouse models.  The selected individual will hold experience generating novel zebrafish genetic disease models, managing colonies (genotyping and breeding) and characterizing zebrafish lines using various behavioural assays and drug testing methods. They will also have proficiency in mouse handling and mouse colony management,  injections and necropsy procedures. Additional expertise in molecular biology techniques, including western blotting, RNA analysis, and advanced immunopathology (immunostaining, microscopy, multiplex immunoassays), is preferred. The candidate will also be responsible for helping to create figures and performing statistical analyses on per project basis, and will contribute to manuscripts and grant proposal preparation. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.-
• MSc in a related field preferred with minimum 2 years of hands-on experienc