jeudi 28 septembre 2023

Junior Specialist-Animal Behavior (Bliss-Moreau Lab)

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POSITION OVERVIEW
Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $51,300 at Step 1 or $54,600 at Step 2.
APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: September 25, 2023

Next review date: Monday, Oct 9, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Mar 25, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Dr. Eliza Bliss-Moreau at the California National Primate Research Center seeks to fill a full-time research assistant position at the Junior Specialist level. The successful candidate will work on studies examining the neural and social basis of affect and emotion in nonhuman animals. This position is 100% with no work from home options. Our research is physically demanding, requiring lifting and moving heavy equipment and animals, moving between buildings in all weather (e.g., rain, heat, etc.), and significant time spent standing and walking. Candidates must be able to carry out those physical demands.

90% Assist with data collection and data management including, but not exclusive to the following:
• Assist with physiological and behavioral data collection with aged monkeys.
• Prepare equipment and testing spaces for experiments.
• Carry out cognitive testing of nonhuman primates, including lifting and moving nonhuman primates (up to 50lbs).
• Collect behavioral data on nonhuman primates.
• Clean equipment and testing spaces.
• Box chair train animals using positive and negative reinforcement techniques.
• Assist with the preparation and analysis of nonhuman primate tissues and prepare solutions, medias, and buffers.
• Train animals to participate in testing.

5% Scientific / Academic:
• Assist with literature reviews, data analyses, and dissemination of results.
• Work with PI and Laboratory Manager to assist with programming of experiments.
• Participate in investigator and group meetings.
• Assist with data organization and management.

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.

A Junior Specialist appointee should have a baccalaureate or similar degree in a discipline relevant or related to the research conducted in the unit hiring the appointee, or if lacking a relevant baccalaureate degree should have experience with the appropriate specialized research methods.

In general, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master’s or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist.

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 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.
• 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
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Animal Behavior, Animal Science, or equivalent.
• Experience working with animals.
• 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)

• Experience working with rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) or other nonhuman primates.
• 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.
• Experience using statistical software for managing data sets.
• Knowledge of rhesus macaque 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 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)

Help contact: kshewing@ucdavis.edu

CAMPUS INFORMATION

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

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.