Research Student Assistant-STDT 2 Bauman Lab

RESEARCH STUDENT ASSISTANT 2/ BAUMAN LAB

80% Assist with data preparation and data management including, but not exclusive to the following:

• Assist with physiological and behavioral data collection with infant, adult and aging monkeys.
• Learn behavioral assessment techniques and data collection applications.
• Video-code behavior in multiple contexts in a standardized fashion.
• Conduct data entry and validate datasets for accuracy.
• Prepare equipment and testing spaces for experiments.
• Clean equipment and testing spaces.
• Assist with organization and preparation of data.
• Assist with designing experiments and preparing data for publication and presentations under direct supervision.

20% Scientific / Academic:

• Assist with study design, literature reviews, and data preparation for analyses under direct supervision.
• Work with PI, staff and graduate students to assist with video-coding of behaviors and preparation of datasets.
• Conduct literature reviews associated with ongoing laboratory projects.
• Participate in investigator and group meetings.
• Attend recommended relevant talks and lectures presented on campus.

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 afterhours, 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 UCDavis 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

• Student in good standing at UC Davis.
• Understanding the importance of research protocols.
• Ability to follow 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, research staff, veterinarians, graduate students and members of the community.
• Willingness to learn laboratory safety and proper use, handling, monitoring, measurement and disposal of biohazardous substances.
• Interest in working with non-human primates.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.
• Familiarity with statistical software for managing data sets.
• Knowledge of non-human primate behavior.
• 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.