Research Associate

Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine is searching for a Research Assistant!

Salary Grade: T25

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Salary Range: $40,000 - $42,000

A variety of important factors are reviewed by HR when considering salary, including job duties, the applicant’s education and experience, all relevant internal equity considerations, department budget, and funding source.

Become a part of the Temple family and you will have access to the following:

Full medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

9 Federally Observed Paid Holidays

3 Personal Days

Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE

A generous retirement plan and so much more!

Position Summary:

The Research Assistant in AI-driven Drug Discovery will report directly to Dr. Zhengjie Zhou, Principal Investigator at the Temple University School of Medicine. This position plays an integral role in supporting the lab’s mission to develop cell-specific nanotherapies for inflammatory lung diseases through the integration of artificial intelligence and biomedical research. The Research Assistant will work closely with both computational and experimental teams within the lab, facilitating cross-disciplinary collaboration between AI analysts and wet-lab scientists.

The basic purpose of this role is to manage and analyze omics datasets using established AI platforms, identify potential therapeutic targets, and assist in coordinating experimental validation. This position contributes directly to the lab’s broader objective of translating computational insights into novel, targeted therapies—aligning with the School of Medicine’s mission to advance medical education and healthcare through cutting-edge research.

Required Education and Experience:

• A Master’s degree in Computational Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and 2 years of related experience

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Foundational knowledge in AI, machine learning, bioinformatics, or computational biology relevant to biomedical research.
• Basic experience working with omics datasets (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, or genomics).
• Ability to use user-friendly AI platforms or software tools for data analysis and therapeutic target identification.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with interdisciplinary team members, preparing reports, and documenting findings.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based translational research environment.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct AI-assisted analyses
• Use established user-friendly AI tools (e.g., PandaOmics or similar platforms) to identify potential therapeutic targets and biological pathways related to lung inflammation.
• Collaborate with wet-lab scientists
• Coordinate with experimental team members to help design and interpret biological experiments that validate AI-predicted targets.
• Participate in regular team meetings
• Help troubleshoot technical issues related to data formats, software usage, or basic bioinformatics tools.
• Contribute to lab presentations, internal seminars, or outreach activities related to AI in drug discovery.
• Stay current with recent advancements in AI-based target discovery by attending seminars or reading relevant literature.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

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