Center for the Human-Animal Bond
Purdue University
Purdue University
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University values, nurtures, and respects all members of its community and ensures an environment of inclusive excellence where all students, faculty, and staff are inspired and empowered to achieve their full potential. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
POSITION
A competitive position is available for a highly motivated and promising individual seeking a Masters or PhD related to the PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTION with Dr. Maggie O’Haire. The successful applicant will be housed within the Center for the HumanAnimal Bond at Purdue University. The research program will focus on the scientific evaluation of human animal interaction in one or more of the following areas: (a) SERVICE DOGS for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and their families, (b) FACILITY DOGS in hospital settings, and/or (c) BEHAVIOR CODING of video-recorded human-animal interaction in various settings. The research will be related to HUMAN outcomes primarily, rather than the animals themselves. Thus an interest in pursuing a human psychology focused research degree is essential. The degree title will be an MS or PhD in Human-Animal Interaction.
The successful candidate will be involved in the development of experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing related to behavioral, psychological, and physiological outcomes of Human-Animal Interaction. The position involves working with collaborators and supervising undergraduate students assisting with the research.
QUALIFICATIONS
PhD applicants must have completed either a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. Masters applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree. Degrees should be in a field relevant to human health or human-animal interaction, including but not limited to: psychology, human development and family studies, public health, communication, education, nursing, or medicine.
QUALITIES
The ideal candidate should exhibit excellent writing skills. They should also have a high level of organization, professionalism, reliability, interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment. They should be interested in and motivated to study human psychological outcomes.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
We are seeking excellent candidates with a range of skills. Examples of potential skills may include some or all of the following:
• Research project management
o Developing and carrying out experimental protocols
o Participant recruitment, retention, and communication
o Writing consent forms and telephone scripts
o Database management of research data and participation
o Managing IRB and IACUC protocols
o Telephone calls and in person meetings with research participants
• Psycho-physiology experience (collection, processing, and analysis)
o Electrodermal activity
o Salivary cortisol
o Daily actigraphy, sleep actigraphy
o Daily diaries/ecological momentary assessment
• Writing experience
o IRB and IACUC proposals
o Peer-reviewed publications
o Conference abstracts and oral presentations
o Poster presentations
o Grant writing
• Software experience
o Database (e.g. REDCap)
o Statistical (e.g. SPSS)
o Survey (e.g. Qualtrics)
o Scheduling (e.g. Google Calendar)
SALARY AND TIMELINE
The position includes a graduate stipend, partial tuition and fee waiver, and health insurance benefits for two years for a Masters, with the potential of funding for two additional years for a PhD. The student position will start in August 2019. It will be full time with the expectation of graduation within two years (Masters) or four years (PhD). There may be opportunities to start in a temporary full-time Research Assistant position sooner if interested.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested candidates should send an inquiry to Barbara White at whiteb@purdue.edu and must apply to the Graduate School through the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Click here for more information about the application process. For this position, you may select to submit the optional additions:
(1) A sample that showcases the candidate’s organizational style (e.g. spreadsheet, excel file, project management document, calendar sample), and/or
(2) A sample that showcases the candidate’s scientific writing skills (e.g. manuscript, class assignment, literature review).
Following receipt of these materials, selected short-list candidates will be invited to participate in an interview via Skype or in person. The interview will consist of two components:
(1) A brief presentation by the candidate on a research or relevant project they have worked on, AND
(2) A standardized set of interview questions.
If you have any questions about the application process, you may email Barbara White at whiteb@purdue.edu. If you have any questions about the position, please email Dr. Maggie O'Haire at maggie.ohaire@gmail.com and include your current CV or Resume.
We look forward to receiving your application materials!
DEADLINE
Complete applications should be submitted by NOVEMBER 1, 2018.
LOCATION
The position will be located in the Center for the Human-Animal Bond in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Candidates do NOT need to have expertise or experience in biology or comparative pathobiology. The Department of Comparative Pathobiology is a wonderfully interdisciplinary department that hosts the Center for the Human-Animal Bond, including psychology researchers. A description of its graduate programs can be found here:
https://www.vet.purdue.edu/cpb/graduate-programs.php
For more information on our research group, go to www.humananimalinteraction.org