Hiring Organization:
Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research
Date Posted:
2008-06-04
Position Description:
SUMMARY
Function: To provide technical assistance in carrying out various behaviorally-oriented research projects in the chimpanzee section. This position is supervised by the Research Laboratory Manager and the Principal Investigator of the behavioral research project.
Scope: Participates in research-related activities and projects focusing on cognitive and behavioral research. Participates through the Section of Behavioral Care and Enrichment. This individual will conduct studies examining social cognition in chimpanzees, specifically for projects relating to cooperation, inequity, and economic behavior.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
1) Individual will help coordinate and conduct cognitive and behaviorally-related research, including collecting data from activities involving observation and behavioral testing with the chimpanzee colony. Individual will also collect data from records as necessary.
2) May also assist with behavioral management protocols and support other in-vivo studies in chimpanzees.
3) Duties will primarily include working with chimpanzees to collect data. Other duties include computerizing recorded data, verifying data entry, and helping to organize and process reports.
4) Visually and manually perform literature searches and apply findings to related studies.
5) Assist the behavioral scientists in the preparation of presentations, reports and publications.
6) Work cooperatively with other behavioral and chimpanzee care personnel to improve the research, behavioral management, and animal healthcare programs.
MARGINAL DUTIES:
1) Manually organize files and data onto desktop or laptop computer.
2) Give oral presentations at professional conferences and on-site training programs.
3) To be knowledgeable of section standard operating procedures (SOP’s) , chimpanzee release and capture procedures, and the behavioral management program.
4) Active participation in department-sponsored training programs is required.
SUPERVISION
Received: Direct supervision by Research Laboratory Manager and Principal Investigator of research project.
Given: None.
EQUIPMENT
The use of desktop and portable computers is required. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, observational, and statistical software is highly desirable.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Usually good, but individual must be able to work in the environments in which the animals are housed, and in which they are occasionally sedated. The individual must be able to walk on wet slippery floors, climb stairs to the roof, and move freely around in the animal enclosures. Must be able to work regularly outdoors in temperatures ranging from 32°F-100°F and under adverse conditions.
Qualifications/Experience:
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor’s degree with major course work in one of the basic sciences.
Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in psychology. anthropology, biology, zoology or related discipline.
EXPERIENCE
Required: None.
Preferred: A minimum of 2 years of experience conducting basic or applied research
involving animal models. Experience with Great Apes, especially chimpanzees is desirable. Excellent written and verbal skills and the ability to work independently as part of a multidisciplinary team are also desirable.
Salary/funding:
Salary is negotiable with Principal Investigator
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
N/A
Term of Appointment:
June 15, 2008 through June 14, 2009
Application Deadline:
ASAP
Comments:
Specific details concerning the position, its duties, and salary can be obtained from Susan Lambeth (slambeth@mdanderson.org) or Sarah Brosnan (sbrosnan@gsu.edu)
Contact Information:
Steve Schapiro
650 Cool Water Dr.
Bastrop, TX 78602
USA
Telephone Number:
512-321-3991
Fax Number:
512-332-5208
Website:
http://www.kccmr.org
E-mail Address:
sschapir@mdanderson.org