researcher

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POSITION SPECIFICS Researcher Key Responsibilities for Researcher position Scientific Leadership and Project Management 1. Lead and coordinate basic and translational research projects focused on urinary tract infection, mucosal and epithelial biology, host-pathogen interactions, aging, and related areas. 2. Take responsibility for advancing assigned projects from experimental planning through data generation, analysis, interpretation, and publication. 3. Coordinate research activities involving multiple investigators, trainees, research staff, core facilities, and collaborators. 4. Monitor project progress, identify scientific or operational barriers, and develop strategies to maintain momentum and achieve research objectives. 5. Evaluate emerging findings and relevant scientific literature to identify new hypotheses, experimental approaches, and opportunities for collaboration. Experimental Research and Scientific Oversight 1. Design, conduct, oversee, and troubleshoot complex experiments using molecular, cellular, microbiological, imaging, and in vivo approaches. 2. Provide expertise in experimental (mouse) models of urinary tract infection and associated epithelial, immune, and inflammatory responses. 3. Support studies utilizing primary tissues, cell culture, organoid systems, genetically modified mouse models, and other translational disease models. 4. Develop, optimize, and standardize experimental protocols and workflows. 5. Ensure rigor, reproducibility, appropriate controls, and quality assurance across experimental studies. 6. Perform specialized experiments when advanced scientific or technical expertise is required. 7. Analysis of human samples for UTI studies Scientific Support Across the Research Group 1. Serve as a senior scientific resource for faculty investigators and research teams. 2. Assist faculty with development and execution of new or ongoing research projects. 3. Support collaborative and multi-investigator studies within and outside the research group. Team Development 1. Train personnel in specialized experimental methods and promote rigorous and reproducible research practices. 2. Participate actively in laboratory and project meetings, journal clubs, and scientific discussions. 3. Help foster an intellectually engaged, collaborative, and productive research environment. 4. Present research findings at laboratory meetings and national or international scientific conferences, contribute to abstracts, presentations, progress reports, and other scientific communications. 5. Maintain high standards for scientific documentation, data integrity, and reproducibility. Required Qualifications 1. PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related discipline. 2. Postdoctoral research training and experience required. 3. De onstrated record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications. 4. Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, analyze, and interpret complex research studies. 5. Experience leading or coordinating scientific projects and advancing projects toward publication. 6. Strong expertise in molecular, cellular, microbiological, and/or in vivo experimental approaches. 7. Experience working collaboratively with faculty investigators, trainees, technical staff, and scientific collaborators. 8. Excellent scientific writing, data interpretation, organizational, and communication skills. 9. Ability to manage multiple concurrent scientific priorities and provide leadership within a collaborative research environment. Preferred Qualifications 1. Research experience in urinary tract infection, bacterial pathogenesis, mucosal or epithelial biology, host-pathogen interactions, aging, or related areas. 2. Experience with mouse models of infection, inflammation, aging, or related disease processes. 3. Experience with genetically modified mouse models and experimental cohort planning. 4. Experience with primary tissues, advanced imaging, organoid systems, or other translational experimental models. 5. Demonstrated experience mentoring students, research technologists, postdoctoral fellows, or other research personnel. 6. Strong publication record with evidence of substantial intellectual contributions to research projects. 7. Experience contributing to NIH or other federally funded research programs, including manuscripts, preliminary data, progress reports, and grant applications. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Secur