JUNIOR Specialist Dr. Karen Bales Lab

Position Overview

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.

Step 1: $55,000;
Step 2: $58,600.

• 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 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 Bio Safety 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…