The Washington National Primate Research Center has an outstanding full time opportunity for a Research Scientist 1 to join the Behavioral Management Services (BMS) team based in ARIZONA.
The primary purpose of this position is to provide the appropriate environment to support outstanding biomedical research directed towards significant human health issues and nonhuman primate health and biology. In conjunction with our Mission Statement, these values link this position to our purpose as a Center: · Commitment to Research · Teamwork · Accountability – Productivity · Communication
The primary purpose of this position is to attend to and promote the psychological well-being and behavioral health of the primates housed at the WaNPRC breeding facility in Arizona. The person in this position will monitor the social and behavioral health of our primates, help oversee and implement the UW environmental enhancement plan, train animals for voluntary participation in husbandry and veterinary care, and contribute to relevant animal welfare publications under supervision of the BMS Manager in AZ. Though this position will be located in Arizona, some training may take place in Washington. Additionally, this person is expected to collaborate with WA BMS staff.
Behavioral Assessment and Monitoring · Attain annual statistical reliability with BMS on several types of behavioral assessments and monitoring tasks. · Conduct regularly scheduled behavioral observations per standard BMS procedures. · Become proficient in Noldus and HanDBase software to conduct quantitative observations on group, paired and singly-housed animals. · Coordinate with other BMS staff if additional behavioral observations are needed. · Conduct physical exams in conjunction with veterinary staff to assess alopecia and to dye animals.
Socialization · Attend monthly breeding committee meetings to discuss socialization of group or cage-housed breeding animals. · Help identify animals to go into breeding per Arizona breeding colony management needs and in consultation with AZ DPR staff. · Manage introductions of group- housed breeding animals. · Introduce cage-housed animals per standard BMS socialization policies. · Ensure socialization needs are met for nursery infants, including introductions to dams or fosters if applicable. · Conduct regularly scheduled observations to monitor social pairs and groups. · Maintain detailed socialization records in consultation with BMS.
Enrichment · Identify enrichment needs and request additional toys, devices, etc. · Evaluate enrichment items for safety and efficacy. · Create/post/collect/scan monthly enrichment calendars. · Review enrichment records and provide metrics as needed. · Order produce and other enrichment foods. · Help make enrichment treats and maintain kitchen as needed.
Animal Training · Collaborate with DPR staff in AZ to identify and train animals for husbandry and veterinary procedures using Positive Reinforcement Techniques (PRT). · Develop shaping/training plans for behaviors specific to the AZ breeding colony with input from the BMS Primate Trainer in WA. · Review training requests with the Primate Trainer, evaluate the animals and provide a plan of action to the requestor in a timely manner. · Keep detailed training records to document processes and provide metrics. · Research specific behavior training techniques and collaborate with outside experts in the field if needed. · Provide continued support when transitioning trained animals to other staff members. · Encourage feedback and suggestions regarding training.
Training Personnel · Interact with staff in a positive and discreet manner. · Educate staff on standard BMS procedures, primate behavior, and animal welfare regulations. · Train staff on operant conditioning, classical conditioning and positive reinforcement training techniques. · Document personnel training sessions and proficiency for record keeping purposes.
Research Activities · Assist BMS in conducting research pertaining to behavior, enrichment and animal welfare. · Consult literature, discuss research design, collect scientific data, and contribute to manuscripts/abstracts for publication.
Other Assignments · Attend weekly BMS meeting online/via phone. · Accompany site visitors, as needed, to explain the BMS program. · Stay current on all required personnel training. · Collaborate with and solicit help from other DPR staff as needed. · Perform other duties as assigned.
The Office of Research and the Primate Center shares President Cauce’s commitment to combat inequities and racism. The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the success of our research enterprise and are embedded in the culture of who we are as institution and employer. We will honor different and unique identities and nurture an accessible, welcoming and respectful environment for all staff, and students and faculty in the Office of Research Primate Center and for all members of the UW research community. We will regularly review our services and systems and adapt them to reflect the evolving environments and work styles of our employees and those we serve. We are ALL responsible for confronting bias and inequities, both individual and institutional, that persist here and throughout our society. Our call is to remove barriers and promote access, opportunity, and justice for all. We all must commit to this ongoing work. Recognizing and valuing diversity will make the Office of Research Primate Center and the University stronger, and enrich the stellar research carried out at the UW.
REQUIREMENTS: · Bachelor's degree in natural sciences or relevant field and 1yr of applicable experience. · Experience working with group-housed non-human primates · At least 1 year conducting positive reinforcement training with any species. · Commitment to promoting NHP health and well-being · Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-task, team environment. · Experience in a diverse working environment with persons from different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Commitment to maintain high professionalism standards and adherence to inclusive environment. · Experience training personnel. · Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to learn custom software.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED: · 2yrs working with group-housed non-human primates · Training in leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. · Formal education in animal behavior. · At least one year of positive reinforcement training with non-human primates. · Familiarity with U.S. Animal Welfare Regulations · Familiarity with environmental enrichment and psychological well-being literature · Experience observing and reporting the behaviors of NHPs in a research or zoo setting · Experience with NHP behavioral research, including writing reports on behavioral observations · Formal training in positive reinforcement techniques including CCPDT, KPDTA, UW-AAB or other animal training certification · Experience training nonhuman primates using positive reinforcement training including restraint, targeting, presenting for injection · Experience using The Observer and/or HanDBase behavior tracking software · Desktop computing skills including word processing, spreadsheet design, making graphs, data sheet design, database utilization (e.g., ARMS)
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
Must be able to work while wearing Personal Protective Equipment indoors and outdoors in Arizona weather.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of health assessment at the contracted Occupational Health Clinic. The health assessment may include but is not limited to tuberculosis clearance, measles clearance, immunizations, such as tetanus, physical exam and/or review of work health history, x-rays, and/or assessment to wear positive or negative respiratory protective equipment. These health assessments will be repeated periodically during work assignment. May be required to work with and take specific precautions, against and/or be immunized against potentially infectious agents. Specific precautions may include wearing respirators and/or protective clothing. Employee is personally responsible for following health & safety and security policies/procedures.
Adhere to the WaNPRC Environmental Enhancement Plan requirements for NHPs
Perform all requisite duties with the goal of meeting the psychological well-being and behavioral health needs of WaNPRC's NHPs.
Participate in the Behavioral Management and Positive Reinforcement Animal Training Programs.
Develop a working knowledge of classical and operant conditioning principles and how they apply to handling animals in a research environment, with positive reinforcement as the expectation.
Develop a working knowledge of non-human primate behavior.
Punctuality as well as regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function of this position.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. | 
