Job Abstract

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

Job Profile Title

Job Description Summary

Job Description

The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking applications for a Technical Director/Research Manager who will assume oversight for and participate in studies involving large animals as well as rodents.  They will be expected to split their time between conducting research activity in the lab (including but not limited to animal surgery, histology, and bench assays) and managing the Principal Investigator’s research laboratory.  Additionally, they will provide high-level research support in the operation and oversight of all research activities, such as providing insight on the conceptualization and design of experiments, networking with internal and external collaborators, writing abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, and preparation of research grant applications.  

Contingent upon funding.

Job Responsibilities

Researcher – Leader – Project Management

• Engage in impactful research within the nerve and muscle biomedical engineering field.
• Conduct professional and scientific research in the lab, advise the Principal Investigator on strategies to achieve project goals, and organize the research team. Formulate research strategies to accomplish project objectives.
• Execute hands-on data analyses and interpret results. Integrate various research project components and develop strategic plans.

• Provide high-level project management support for 10+ research projects simultaneously by coordinating with internal stakeholders (e.g. PSOM Penn faculty, students, and Penn departments) and external partners (e.g. corporations, foundations, and government entities). 
• Contribute to leading the team. Create, implement, and oversee systems to assess program progress.
• Interface with teams, including collaborators to ensure the integrity, accessibility, and stewardship of data regularly.
• Mentor a team of research assistants, graduate students, and undergraduates.

• Support the development of research projects from inception to completion by providing strategic project management: assist in the development of research proposals, prepare IACUC regulatory requirements, delegate and manage tasks and project deliverables, provide documentation and reports; and develop and monitor project budgets.
• Work with the Principal Investigator to assign projects to staff and students on a per-project basis.
• Train and supervise lab members on research methods, research implementation, data acquisition, and analytical techniques.

Laboratory Compliance

• Serves as the manager for the PI’s laboratory. Responsible for administrative matters related to the design, planning, organization, management, and operation of the laboratory.
• Establishes standard protocols, practices, procedures, and techniques for effective and safe operation of the laboratory.
• Engage with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and government agencies to generate documents for continuing review, protocol modifications and study start-up and closeout.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.

Papers / Grants / Conferences

• Drafts grant proposals, protocols, study materials, presentations, abstracts, and manuscripts, and assists the PI with design, preparation, and submission of upcoming grant submissions and pilot projects.
• Writes abstracts, including developing an original research question, identifying relevant preliminary evidence and conceptual framework, overseeing data analysis, drawing conclusions, submitting to international scientific conferences, and presenting work if selected.
• Attend professional meetings, workshop, and seminars. Read and review appropriate biomedical and clinical research literature necessary for effective collaboration.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Master of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Job Location - City, State

Department / School

Pay Range

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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay