Job Description

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

Wildlife Diagnostics Technician

Job Profile Title

Research Specialist AThe Wildlife Diagnostics Technician supports the Wildlife Futures Program by managing wildlife diagnostic cases from specimen receipt through laboratory processing, necropsy support, data management, and biobanking. Working closely with wildlife pathologists, this position assists with disease surveillance, diagnostic testing, and laboratory operations while ensuring the accurate handling, documentation, and tracking of biological specimens. The role combines hands-on laboratory and necropsy work with data management and collaboration with internal and external partners to advance wildlife health, research, and conservation efforts.

DUTIES:

This position is based at our New Bolton Center campus in Kennett Square, PA (Chester County), approximately 33 miles outside of Philadelphia. There is no public transportation available to this location. You must have your own reliable transportation.

The Wildlife Diagnostics Technician supports the Wildlife Futures Program by coordinating the full lifecycle of wildlife diagnostic cases, including specimen accessioning, necropsy assistance, sample processing, data management, and biobanking. This position plays a critical role in supporting wildlife disease surveillance, research, and diagnostic testing while ensuring the accurate handling, documentation, and tracking of biological specimens.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Receive, open, and process wildlife submissions, including deceased animals and biological specimens (e.g., blood, swabs, tissues, organs, feces).
• Verify submission documentation and accession cases into Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and associated databases (WHIN, eLabs, Pennsylvania Game Commission systems, and others as applicable).
• Organize, label, distribute, store, and ship specimens for internal laboratory testing and external collaborators.
• Maintain biobank inventory and associated databases, ensuring accurate specimen tracking and long-term storage.
• Assist wildlife pathologists with necropsy examinations of wildlife and occasional domestic animals, including tissue collection for diagnostic testing such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
• Process tissues and prepare samples for laboratory analysis while maintaining accurate case documentation and data entry.
• Provide intensive support for seasonal CWD surveillance and testing, including several months each year dedicated to high-volume sample processing and data management.
• Enter laboratory findings into internal and external databases and assist with diagnostic reporting.
• Maintain laboratory and necropsy facilities through routine cleaning, disinfection, equipment maintenance, supply organization, and proper biohazard waste disposal.
• Communicate with submitting agencies and collaborators to obtain case histories and resolve submission discrepancies.

• Support the laboratory's Quality Management System through document control, report generation, and compliance with accreditation standards, including those of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD).
  
  *Cover Letter is required
  * This position is contingent upon grant funding.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's degree in Biology, Animal Science, Animal Husbandry, or a related field and 0-1 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative laboratory environment.
• Experience handling biological specimens and comfort working with animal carcasses, tissues, and other biological materials.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and other database platforms.
• Ability to safely operate laboratory equipment, hand tools, and power tools (including saws and hoists) following established safety procedures.
• Physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform work involving standing, bending, and extended periods in laboratory and necropsy environments.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate a University vehicle for work-related duties.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain rabies vaccination and titer (provided by the University) and comply with all institutional health and safety requirements, including respiratory mask fit testing.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Wildlife or domestic animal handling in laboratory, veterinary, research, or field settings.
• Diagnostic laboratory workflows, including specimen accessioning and necropsy assistance.
• Wildlife disease surveillance or diagnostic testing.
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or other scientific databases.
• Biobanking, specimen inventory management, and sample tracking.
• Working safely with biohazardous materials and animal dissection.

Job Location - City, State

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$45,278.00 - $58,000.00 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 protectedunder 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.

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