RECRUITMENT PERIOD

Open date: April 23, 2021

Last review date: July 31, 2021

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: April 19, 2021

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.

DESCRIPTION

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise
(e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and
execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains
technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the
Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, and develop collaborative relationships with
colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not
have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in
preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three
basic criteria outlined below.
It will be necessary to occasionally work odd hours as necessary to conduct pre-scheduled lab works and meet
deadlines. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; as well as
the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

I. Essential Responsibilities (90%)

85% Assist with data collection and data management including, but not exclusive to the following:
· Assist with physiological and behavioral data collection with infant, juvenile, and aged monkeys.
· Carry out tasks related to promoting the welfare of experimental animals.
· Prepare equipment and testing spaces for experiments.
· Clean equipment and testing spaces.
· Lift and move nonhuman primates (requires being able to lift at least 50 lbs) between their home cages
and testing spaces.
· Assist with the preparation and analysis of nonhuman primate tissues.
· Prepare solutions, medias, and buffers.
· Use laboratory equipment including centrifuges, incubators, etc.
· Train animals to participate in testing.
13% Scientific / Academic:
· Assist with literature reviews, data analyses, and dissemination of results.
· Review the literature in order to help with new method and experimental design.
· Work with PI and Laboratory Manager to assist with programming of experiments.
· Conduct literature reviews associated with ongoing laboratory projects.
· Lead lab-meeting discussions on a paper at least one time per quarter.
· Participate in investigator and group meetings.
· Assist with data organization and management.
II. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (2% EFFORT)
· 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
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
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
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Animal Behavior, Animal Science, or
  • equivalent.
  • Experience working with nonhuman primates.
  • 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
· Experience working with rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
· 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