Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

The opportunity:

A Full-Time Research Assistant position is available in Professor Daniela Fera’s lab at Swarthmore College in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This position is part of an exciting collaboration between the Fera Lab at Swarthmore College and the Escolano Lab at the Wistar Institute. The research focuses on understanding the immune response to HIV and the molecular mechanisms by which antibodies recognize the HIV envelope spike, with the long-term goal of informing the design of next-generation HIV vaccines.

We seek a highly motivated, safe, and organized individual with excellent communication skills and experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, or other closely related field to join our research group. The successful candidate will use biochemical and structural approaches to investigate antibody–antigen interactions and inform HIV vaccine design.

The Research Assistant will work closely with undergraduate researchers at Swarthmore College while also collaborating with postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research staff at the Wistar Institute. In addition, the position will involve interactions with scientists and staff at the University of Pennsylvania and regional cryo-electron microscopy facilities. As such, strong teamwork skills, intellectual curiosity, and an interest in mentoring undergraduate students are highly desirable.

This position offers a unique opportunity to participate in a highly collaborative research environment spanning a small liberal arts college and a leading biomedical research institute. The successful candidate will be encouraged to take ownership of research projects, contribute to experimental design and data analysis, co-author high-impact publications, and present research findings at national and international scientific conferences.

This position is for 2 years with the possibility of annual renewal. We are open to considering applicants with a BS/BA, MS, or PhD.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintenance of mammalian cells using sterile technique
• Large-scale protein expression in mammalian cells and DNA production using E. coli
• Purify DNA and recombinant proteins
• Prepare samples for structural studies using protein crystallography and electron microscopy (negative stain EM and cryo-EM).
• Process and analyze EM datasets, including particle picking, two-dimensional classification, three-dimensional reconstruction, refinement, and map validation using modern cryo-EM software packages.
•  Interpret structural data in collaboration with laboratory members and external collaborators.
• Writing protocols and maintaining laboratory notebooks

 What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• BA or BS in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Structural Biology, or a closely related field. Applicants with an MS or PhD are also encouraged to apply. We will provide training as needed.
• A two-year minimum commitment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, motivation, and effective written and verbal communication.
• Willingness and ability to learn new laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and computational software, including cryo-EM image processing tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory experience in protein expression using mammalian cell culture, protein purification, and molecular biology techniques.
•  Experience with cryo-EM data processing and image analysis (e.g., cryoSPARC or similar software) is highly desirable but not required; training will be provided to motivated candidates.
• Experience with protein crystallography or other structural biology methods is a plus.
•  Appreciation for collaborative academic research and enthusiasm for mentoring undergraduate researchers.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration and priority review, submit applications with pay expectations, including a resume and cover letter, and the application materials will be reviewed immediately and on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The market range for this position is $21.00-$24.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.