Senior Research Investigator

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

Senior Research Investigator

Job Profile Title

Research Investigator, Senior

Job Description Summary

The Shaw-Hahn laboratory pursues basic and translational research on global pathogens including HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). For HIV, the laboratory makes extensive use of the simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) model of infection in Indian rhesus macaque monkeys. This requires that the successful applicant to have a high level of scientific knowledge and understanding of RNA viruses and complex biological and immunological systems. This individual must have extensive experience working with BSL2/3 pathogens. It is expected that this position will lead basic and translational research projects supporting the overall mission of the laboratory.
Position contingent upon funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infected rhesus macaque has gained increasing interest as a model system to investigate the immunobiology of HIV-1 infection and HIV-1 vaccine design. Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that SHIVs bearing HIV-1 Envs that in humans elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies, do the same in rhesus macaques (Science 371, eabd2638 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd2638 ). Moreover, molecular patterns of Env-Ab coevolution in SHIV infected monkeys recapitulate what is seen in humans. Senior Research Investigator position is available for a successful applicant to analyze rhesus Env-Ab coevolution leading to bNAbs targeting V2 apex, V3 glycan, CD4bs and fusion peptide epitopes as a molecular guide for HIV-1 immunogen design in humans. Work will entail isolating rhesus macaque bNAb mAbs, characterizing Env-Ab coevolution leading to bNAb induction in rhesus macaques, and developing and testing novel vaccine platforms (SOSIPs, VLPs, RNA, DNA) that express stabilized native-like Env trimers that bind rhesus bNAb unmutated common ancestor and intermediate stage antibodies. The goal of this research is to study SHIV infected and HIV-1 Env trimer immunized rhesus macaques to elucidate “rules” governing the elicitation of bNAbs by novel vaccines in humans. The person holding this position will oversee and conduct projects exploring the immunobiology of HIV, SIV, SHIV or HCV. The person should have at least 5 years of experience in standard and advanced molecular biology techniques, HIV/SIV/SHIV virus isolation and cultivation, human and non-human primate primary cell culture, and a broad knowledge of adaptive and innate immunity. The person should be experienced in BSL2/3 containment, be able to perform viral neutralization assays in primary and reporter cell-lines, clone full-length replication competent genomes of HIV/SIV/SHIV/HCV, perform site-directed mutagenesis, and analyze next generating sequencing data. Proficiency in DNA/RNA extraction, PCR protocols including single genome amplification, and next generation sequencing library preparation is required. A PhD, MD or equivalent is required.

  

Qualifications

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

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$36,368.00 – $110,000.00 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.

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