Position Title: Animal Behaviorist
Company Overview:
BIOQUAL was established in 1981 and performs contract research services focused on in vivo models of human diseases including COVID-19, AIDS, influenza, RSV infection, Flavivirus infections including Zika and Dengue, malaria, hepatitis, and cancer. BIOQUAL has laboratories and vivariums under both BSL-2 and BSL-3 containment. In addition, BIOQUAL maintains CDC-approved BSL-3 containment laboratories for studies associated with Select Agents including highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Objective:
The Animal Behaviorist performs required behavioral/enrichment/compatibility assessments for all species housed at a designated facility. They maintain behavioral database information, monthly social housing reports, quarterly behavioral assessments and other documents as needed/requested.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Adhere to the BEEP (BIOQUAL Behavioral and Environmental Enhancement Plan) at designated BIOQUAL Inc. animal facility
• Perform requested/required behavior/enrichment assessments on NHPs
• Provide NHPs with positive reinforcement training and positive human interaction sessions
• Create/Update Additional Behavioral Observations (ABO) list and Abnormal Behavior Management Plans (ABMP)
• Order, help sanitize & fill, and monitor stock & proper use of edible & non-edible enrichment
• Determine new and entertaining enrichment
• Maintain facility budget for all department spending
• Create behavioral studies to help increase the understanding of various aspects of NHPs and other animals in captivity, to be directly applied to the animals housed at BIOQUAL, Inc.
• Create and perform required trainings regarding animal behavior and enrichment
• Meet periodically with veterinary staff to discuss behavior/enrichment issues/concerns
• Perform temperament assessments on NHPs to determine compatible social partners
• Introduce and monitor NHPs deemed compatible to form social pairs
• Perform quarterly colony behavioral assessments and social group behavioral assessments
• Determine if changing room setups may decrease atypical/abnormal behaviors and increase species-typical behaviors, monitoring the improvement of abnormal/atypical behaviors of NHPs
• Update the database, and notify the Behavior Program Director with social housing, behavioral assessments, and other department information
• Create monthly social housing breakdowns
• Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Skills:
· 4-year bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Primatology, Anthropology, Psychology, etc.)
· Experience with animals, preferably non-Human primates
· AALAS certification
Apply at: Recruitment (adp.com)