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Jr Specialist - Neuroscience and Behavior Unit (Bales Lab)

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Position description

Dr. Karen Bales at the California National Primate Research Center seeks to fill a full-time research assistant position at the Junior Specialist level starting June or July 2021. The successful candidate will work on studies examining the role of the opioid system in social behavior in titi monkeys.

Essential Responsibilities
95% Research
Assist with data collection and data management including, but not exclusive to the following (80%):

• Assist with physiological and behavioral data collection with infant, juvenile, and aged monkeys.
• Schedule procedures with lab personnel as well as Research Services and the Imaging Center.
• Carry out tasks related to promoting the welfare of experimental animals.
• Prepare equipment and testing spaces for experiments.
• Clean equipment and testing spaces.
• Lift and move nonhuman primates (requires being able to lift at least 50 lbs) between their home cages and testing spaces.
• Assist with organization of data.
• Assist with the preparation and analysis of nonhuman primate tissues.
• Prepare solutions, medias, and buffers.
• Use laboratory equipment including centrifuges, incubators, etc.
• Train animals to participate in testing.
• Assist with designing experiments and preparing data for publication and presentations.
• Support imaging studies including PET scans and MRIs

Scientific / Academic (15%):
• Assist with study design, literature reviews, data analyses, and dissemination of results.
• Review the literature in order to help with new method and experimental design.
• Conduct literature reviews associated with ongoing laboratory projects.
• Lead lab-meeting discussions on a paper at least one time per quarter.
• Help to prepare scientific manuscripts.
• Participate in investigator and group meetings.
• Attend laboratory journal club and recommended relevant lectures presented on campus.

5% University and Public Service:
• Train and mentor undergraduate research assistants in the lab on data collection, data management, and analyses protocols. This will provide a university service in that they will be actively facilitating the participation of undergraduate students in research activities.

Physical Demands
• Perform diversified tasks the may often require squatting, kneeling, bending, stooping or standing.
• Manual and visual dexterity to perform all duties with emphasis on attention to detail and the operation and maintenance of equipment is essential.
• Perform assigned duties in BioSafety Level 2 and 2+ conditions where non-human primates may be either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous infectious agents such as HIV, SIV, or Herpes B virus.
• Wear protective clothing for extended periods of time including: gown, lab coats, gloves, masks, face shields, and head and shoe covers.
• Be able to lift and move at least 50 lbs.

Work Environment
• Measles vaccination or proof of illness required. This position is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy.
• Employee shall participate in required preventative medical and medical monitoring programs which may include blood tests, immunizations, TB screening, Blood borne and Airborne Pathogen training, etc., and are provided to meet Federal, State and University requirements.
• Must be willing to perform assigned duties in a BioSafety Level (BSL) 2 or 3 facility where nonhuman primates may be either naturally or experimentally infected with potentially hazardous infectious agents such as HIV, SIV or Herpes B virus; working area is located within a defined animal area and may include biohazards.
• Work in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
• Work safely in areas where radiation is being utilized for PET scans and laboratory procedures.
• Work safely in areas containing MRI equipment.
• Required to wear protective clothing in circumstances that require personal protection from infectious diseases and animals.
• Work occasional overtime. Work occasional weekends and holidays.
• Provide after hours, weekend and holiday emergency support as required.
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
• California National Primate Research Center employees are directly or indirectly engaged in the performance of work on Federal or State contracts and grants as well as periodically come into contact with controlled substances; and are expected to abide by the UC Policy on Substance Abuse, the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and the State Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Animal Behavior, Animal Science, or equivalent.
• Experience working with nonhuman primates.
• Experience training animals to participate in behavioral tasks.
• Experience using MS Excel for data entry, upload, review, and maintenance.
• Experience following research protocols, and oral/written instructions with attention to detail.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact professionally with a diverse group of people including but not limited to investigators, visitors, veterinarians, students and staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and proper use, handling, monitoring, measurement and disposal of biohazardous substances.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working with nonhuman primates (preferably titi monkeys).
• Experience utilizing formal behavioral observation methods and techniques to monitor and record social interactions among nonhuman primates.
• Experience working in physical contact with nonhuman primates (preferably titi monkeys).
• Experience using statistical software for managing data sets.
• Knowledge of nonhuman primate behavior.
• Experience manipulating and analyzing computerized records of behavioral observations.
• Laboratory experience processing biological samples.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills for research and technical problems.
• Skills to make the appropriate judgment to report when an animal requires veterinary attention, and to recognize changes in animal physical appearance or behavior.
• Ability to use scientific terminology effectively.
• Organizational skills to coordinate projects, summarize data, prioritize workload and follow schedules, meet deadlines, to accommodate changes in projects as the need arises, and strict attention to detail with high level of efficiency.

• Experience working in a BSL2+ or greater facility.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Animal Behavior, Animal Science, or equivalent.
• Experience working with nonhuman primates.
• Experience training animals to participate in behavioral tasks.
• Experience using MS Excel for data entry, upload, review, and maintenance.
• Experience following research protocols, and oral/written instructions with attention to detail.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact professionally with a diverse group of people including but not limited to investigators, visitors, veterinarians, students and staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and proper use, handling, monitoring, measurement and disposal of biohazardous substances.

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working with nonhuman primates (preferably titi monkeys).
• Experience utilizing formal behavioral observation methods and techniques to monitor and record social interactions among nonhuman primates.
• Experience working in physical contact with nonhuman primates (preferably titi monkeys).
• Experience using statistical software for managing data sets.
• Knowledge of nonhuman primate behavior.
• Experience manipulating and analyzing computerized records of behavioral observations.
• Laboratory experience processing biological samples.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills for research and technical problems.
• Skills to make the appropriate judgment to report when an animal requires veterinary attention, and to recognize changes in animal physical appearance or behavior.
• Ability to use scientific terminology effectively.
• Organizational skills to coordinate projects, summarize data, prioritize workload and follow schedules, meet deadlines, to accommodate changes in projects as the need arises, and strict attention to detail with high level of efficiency.

• Experience working in a BSL2+ or greater facility.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04101

Help contact: tagoodin@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

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Job location

Davis, CA