Biobehavioral Assessment Postdoc, Dr. Kinnally Lab

Dr. Kinnally at the California National Primate Research Center seeks to fill a 100% postdoctoral scholar position, ideally starting on or after January 5, 2025. The successful candidate will lead and develop studies examining development and aging in rhesus monkeys as part of the Biobehavioral Assessment program at CNPRC. The Biobehavioral Assessment (BBA) Program at the California National Primate Research Center, launched in 2001, has quantified measures of biobehavioral organization (ie, temperament, physiological reactivity, genetics) in more than 6000 infant, adult and aging rhesus monkeys. The goals of this program are to comprehensively inventory individual macaque biobehavioral organization and generate new discoveries regarding biobehavioral health and disease. We also make this resource available for scientific inquiry or animal health care.

Essential Responsibilities

60% Experimental design, data collection and data management including, but not exclusive to the following:

• Design experiments and collect data for publication and presentations.
• Lead physiological and behavioral data collection with infant, adult and aging
  monkeys.
• Integrate new technologies to collect behavioral and physiological data from
  monkeys.
• Keep exceptional records of data, samples, and procedures.
• Lift and move nonhuman primates (requires being able to lift at least 20 lbs)
  between their home cages and testing spaces.
• Prepare equipment and testing spaces for experiments.
• Clean equipment and testing spaces.
• Preparation and analysis of nonhuman primate tissues.
• Use laboratory equipment including centrifuges, incubators, etc.

35% Scientific / Academic:

• Study design, literature reviews, data analyses, and dissemination of results.
• Review the literature in order to help with new method and experimental
  design.
• Work with a diverse team to assist with design and implementation of
  experiments.
• Write manuscripts independently and in collaboration with the PI, Kinnally Lab team members and collaborators
• Participate in investigator and group meetings.
• Attend recommended relevant talks and lectures presented at conferences
  and on campus.

5% University and Public Service:

• Train and mentor undergraduate research assistants in the lab on data
  collection, data management, data analysis and following 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 that 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 and 2+ conditions. Although the current study does not involve infectious animals, the worksite houses non-human primates that 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 20 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.

• Ph.D. in Psychology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Animal Behavior or equivalent expected by appointment start date.
• Experience using MS Excel for data entry, upload, review, and maintenance.
• Experience following research protocols, and oral/written instructions with attention to detail.
• Excellent 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.
  
  
• Interest or experience in working with non-human primates.

• Experience utilizing formal behavioral observation methods and techniques to monitor and record social interactions among nonhuman primates.
• Familiarity with implementation and use of technology in laboratory settings.
• Experience using statistical software for managing data sets.
• Knowledge of non-human primate behavior.
• Experience manipulating and analyzing large datasets.
• Laboratory experience processing biological samples.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills for research and technical problems.
• 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+ or greater facility.

• 3 required (contact information only)

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

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