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 Facilities Manager B (Immune Health Institute)
Job Profile Title
Manager B, Facilities
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Manager of Research Facilities Operations, the Assistant Manager supports all aspects of facilities oversight for the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H) managed space. This role assists in managing approximately 25,000 NSF of research space across 5 wet bench lab floors, serving 25 Principal Investigators and approximately 200 lab staff. The Assistant Manager helps coordinate equipment management, space planning, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day operations to ensure optimal functioning of research facilities.
Job Description
Lab Operations Support
+ Assist in overseeing the daily operations of 25 Principal Investigators' labs and core facilities across multiple departments including Genetics, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Medicine, Immune Health, and the Colton Center for Autoimmunity
+ Support the relocation process for labs moving into new space in 3600 CCB
+ Ensure timely delivery of core services including CO2, LN2, dry ice, and general helpdesk support
+ Serve as backup to the Manager during absences, providing continuity of operations
Equipment Management
+ Help coordinate equipment life-cycle from acquisition to retirement
+ Support maintenance of the equipment inventory system and asset tracking
+ Assist with scheduling preventative maintenance and tracking service contracts
+ Coordinate equipment training for lab members and manage common equipment calendars
+ Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate necessary repairs
Emergency Response and Safety
+ Assist in implementing emergency preparedness/disaster recovery plans
+ Provide first response for lab emergencies in the Manager's absence
+ Help train lab staff on safety protocols and emergency procedures
+ Monitor compliance with safety regulations and prepare labs for safety audits
+ Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation for emergency response to equipment failures and other urgent issues
Space Planning and Management
+ Support space allocation and planning activities
+ Assist with lab expansions, contractions, and relocations
+ Help coordinate lab setup for new faculty recruits
+ Maintain space utilization documentation and assist with space reporting
Staff Training
+ Provide indirect supervision and. training to Research Facilities support staff
+ Assist in training staff on proper techniques for sterilization, glassware washing, and hazardous materials handling
+ Support the collection and tracking of usage data for service center billing
+ Conduct performance assessments and provide feedback to staff
Stakeholder Relationship Management
+ Maintain productive relationships with key partners including EHRS, Facilities, Security, and other support services
+ Facilitate communication between labs and service providers
+ Assist with lab manager meetings and other collaborative initiatives
+ Support special projects as assigned by the Manager
Qualifications
+ Bachelor of Science and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
+ Knowledge of laboratory equipment, infrastructure, and safety requirements
+ Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
+ Experience training staff and managing projects
+ Ability to respond to emergencies and work outside normal business hours
+ Knowledge of regulatory requirements for research laboratories
+ Familiarity with maintenance and repair of scientific equipment
+ Experience in an academic research environment
+ Experience with lab relocations and space planning
Position is contingent upon funding
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$43,919.00 - $68,000.00 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
the pay range assigned to the job profile.
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-pay
The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. 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.