Senior Research Investigator (Department of Neurosurgery)

Description

The focus of our lab’s research is at the intersection of immunology, genetics, and brain tumor biology. The primary goal of our translational research is to understand mechanisms of immune evasion by primary malignant brain, tumors to generate detailed knowledge regarding the immunologic functions of distinct cell types in primary brain tumors, to capture novel immunologic consequences of distinct glioma genotypes and to build novel oncoimmunologic therapies ranging from pharmacologic therapies to cell, vaccine, and antibody therapies.

Our lab has developed a thorough, multi-pronged approach to study the problems state above, and we utilize novel transcriptional, proteomic and chromatin based platforms to identify distinct immune cell fates and functions.

More importantly, we are, at our core, a brain tumor biology lab and we evaluate immuno-genomic dysfunction in brain tumors by leveraging high fidelity murine models genetically engineered to recapitulate this disease.

As a consequence of the breadth of our studies, we utilize basic immunologic platforms (flow cytometry, immune based cytotoxicity assays, lymphocyte and myeloid cell functional assays and standard wet lab approaches including western blotting, ELISA and immune receptor-ligand binding assays.

Our target cells are myeloid, T cells and NK cells. Our approach is determined by tumor specific genetic alterations that drive these events.

Thus, our lab has two unique streams of discovery 1) mechanistic elucidation of genotype-specific immune states 2) identification of tumor and genotype-specific immunotherapeutic modalities;

and 3) characterization of novel immunologic states that guide tumor-stromal and tumor-bone marrow / peripheral blood interactions.

Since our laboratory has already discovered novel therapies currently under investigation at the Penn Brain Tumor Center, a substantial amount of effort is also devoted to identification of immunologic biomarkers.

Position contingent upon funding.

Job Responsibilities

Leading the implementation of experimental projects design of the translational / basic science experiments to test hypotheses related to our research goals using in vitro (cell culture / organoids), in vivo animal models and primary patient samples

Learning novel computational platforms required for analysis of single, bulk, and multiplatform, chromatin, RNA, proteiomic and metabolic profiles

Thorough data analysis, manuscript preparation, responsibilities related to grant preparation

Leadership roles related to supervision of more junior lab members

Ensuring day to day operations of the lab and reporting deleterious behavior to the PI

Commitment to a pathway to full independence within 3-5 years of assuming the current

Organizing lab meetings and ensuring that individual lab members are ready for their presentations at weekly lab meeting

The above criteria, by definition, require a dynamic, organized, ethical, and highly skilled scientist for whom the current role is not terminal but a starting position for greater indiviual achievement.

Qualifications

Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, and 5 to 7 years of postdoctoral experience is required.

The position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a highly motivated, independent thinker and worker, with a desire to work in a complex and high energy environment.

Preference will be given to individuals with experience in omics (transcriptomics and computational skills), immunologic assays, and expertise in animal experiments / creation of novel genetic models.

Successful candidates will have a demonstrated track record of project completion and publications, as well as a high level of scientific rigor and reasonable number of first-author publications in journal above impact factor of 8 will present a significant advantage for candidates.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$36,368.00 - $94,753.00 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.