Johns Hopkins University Research Animal Resources is seeking a Research Technologist who is responsible for overseeing and conducting positive reinforcement training, socialization, and enrichment evaluation with laboratory primates. The Research Technologist will be required to conduct in vivo sampling program for macaques on research studies for the Retrovirus Research Lab, under the supervision of the Director of Behavioral Management (Dr. Lydia Hopper).
More information and application details can be found here: https://jobs.jhu.edu/job/Baltimore-Research-Technologist-MD-21205/829812000/
Specific Duties & Responsibilities:
- Implements and evaluates environmental enrichment, social housing, and positive reinforcement training strategies with nonhuman primates and other laboratory animal species.
- Assists with socializing laboratory housed animals, including forming social pairs and monitoring newly formed social groups
- Assists with evaluating efficacy of enrichment for a variety of laboratory housed animals.
- Responsible for conducting positive reinforcement training of nonhuman primates for cooperation with common experimental and veterinary manipulations and procedures.
- Designs training plans and documents training progress and effectively communicates shaping plans, animal progress, and program goals to faculty and staff as needed.
- Coordinates with veterinarians, behaviorists, and animal care staff to plan and implement training and sampling schedules for macaques on study.
- Responsible for collecting in vivo samples from macaques under sedation and voluntarily from trained animals without sedation.
- Process, store and log in vivo samples after procurement, as needed.
- Under the supervision of faculty, organize, analyze and present data from behavior research projects.
- Communicate, understand and relay relevant research, behavioral and veterinary medical terminology.
- Review and/or generate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as requested.
- Monitors psychological well-being of macaques and report any concerns to behavioral and veterinary specialists.
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation of data collection, providing regular reports of study progress to the Director of Behavioral Management and other faculty and staff as required.
- Maintains research equipment and initiates the process for equipment repair when needed.
- Demonstrates professional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Informs faculty and staff in a timely and professional manner when problems arise with research plans or deadlines to determine solutions.
- Manages multiple projects simultaneously.
- Maintains regulatory documents according to internal SOPs.
- Provides miscellaneous administrative support as required.
Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):
- Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous history conducting research projects and in organizing and analyzing data preferred.
- At least one (1) year of related experience working with nonhuman primates in a captive setting.
- Some related post-undergraduate work experience preferred.
Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Working knowledge of positive reinforcement training principals and techniques.
- Demonstrated knowledge of nonhuman primate behavior and social systems.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is essential.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including both written and oral communication.
- Good organizational and time management skills.
- The ability to work independently and reliably with minimal supervision.
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.