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 D – Advanced Core for Microscope Engineering
Job Profile Title
Research Specialist D
Job Description Summary
The newly established Advanced Core for Microscope Engineering (ACME) (https://www.med.upenn.edu/cdbacme/) at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine will provide custom built ad hoc optical microscopy solutions, advanced image analysis, and consultation services to researchers across the Penn campus and beyond. The core will take advantage of modular hardware and software technology being developed in the Mir Lab (mir-lab.com) which will allow for rapid prototyping and construction of instruments. This is inherently a new type of core model which combines engineering new technologies in response to desired experimental designs instead of working within the bounds of commercially available technology. The core is co-directed by Dr. Mustafa Mir (mir-lab.com), Dr. Melike Lakadamyali (lakadamyali-lab.com/) , Dr. Yihui Shen (https://www.imaging-systems-metabolism-lab.com/), and Dr. Andrea Stout (https://www.med.upenn.edu/cdbmicroscopycore/).
We are seeking a microscope Research Specialist/Engineer to support the mission of the core. The role will include developing and implementing new microscope hardware, control software, customized analysis pipelines as well as collaborating with core users. We anticipate initial applications will include light-sheet microscopy, super-resolution imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and single-molecule tracking.
The ideal candidate has experience designing and implementing optics hardware (ideally microscopes), is fluent in Python and/or LabView, and is familiar with digital and analog signal processing. Additionally, they are curious, hard-working, detail oriented, and well-organized with the capability to work on multiple projects at a time with collaborators. Previous experience working in the field of biomedical imaging is highly desired. There will be ample opportunities to publish in this position.
In this role, the employee will be expected to initiate, contribute and manage development of multiple projects and microscopes at direction of Principal Investigator. Designs and conducts instrument development projects which includes proposal development, design hardware and software, data collection, qualitative analyses, and report writing to name a few. Develops literature, reports, manuscripts and publications to drive funding opportunities. Develops relationships with existing and potential funders, research partners, research sites, regulatory offices and affiliated organizations as part of stakeholder management. Responsible to train and supervise staff. Develop and implement all safety procedures in the lab including drafting and implementing new SOPs and protocols for general laboratory practices, in compliance with safety regulations. Close partnership with Core Leadership team to ensure success of all projects.
Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific experiments
• Maintain and edit lab database information
• Supervision of animal maintenance
• Assisting with manuscript publications
• Liaison with collaborators
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Master of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Candidates with a PhD strongly preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Design hardware using CAD (Autodesk Inventor, Zemax)
• Write software (primarily in Python)
• Work with core collaborators to understand experimental needs and iterate on designs prior to implementation
• Implement and test hardware and train others to use it
• Develop ideas for new hardware and analysis approaches for microscopy
• Develop content for grant proposals and manuscripts

Qualifications: Master of Science and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Candidates should have a degree in physics, computer science, engineering or a related field. Master’s or PhD preferred; experience in designing and implementing optics/microscopy experiments.
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated individual, must have strong organizational skills, good oral and written communication skills, and be able to work independently and be a team player. Ability to coordinate multiple projects independently. Competitive pay based on experience.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$66,000.00 - $100,000.00 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, 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 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.

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

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific experiments
• Maintain and edit lab database information
• Supervision of animal maintenance
• Assisting with manuscript publications
• Liaison with collaborators
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigne

Responsibilities:

• Design hardware using CAD (Autodesk Inventor, Zemax)
• Write software (primarily in Python)
• Work with core collaborators to understand experimental needs and iterate on designs prior to implementation
• Implement and test hardware and train others to use it
• Develop ideas for new hardware and analysis approaches for microscopy
• Develop content for grant proposals and manuscript