JUNIOR Specialist Dr. Karen Bales Lab

Position Overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2.

Open date:
February 9, 2026

Next review date:
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 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.

Dr. Karen Bales at the California National Primate Research Center seeks to fill a full-time research assistant position at the Junior Specialist level starting as soon as possible. The successful candidate will work on studies examining the neurobiology of social behavior.

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.

• 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 20 lbs) between their home cages and testing spaces.
• Assist with organization of data.
• Complete and submit paperwork, manage inventories and scheduling
• 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.
• Assist with designing experiments and preparing data for publication and presentations.
• Assist with tasks associated with laboratory safety, maintaining training records, maintenance of laboratory equipment, and preparing for laboratory inspections
• Assist as needed with experiments that involve handling rodents.
• Assist as needed with rodent colony management.

• Assist with 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 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.
• Attend recommended relevant talks and lectures presented on campus.

• 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.

• 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 Bio Safety 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.

• Measles vaccination or proof of illness required. This position is subject to Medical Surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and…