Research Technologist 2 (Hourly/Temporary)

Req #: 192588
Department: WA National Primate Research Center (WANPRC)
Appointing Department Web Address: https://wanprc.uw.edu/
Posting Date: 07/21/2021
Closing Info: Closes On 08/05/2021
Salary: $18.73 - $24.95/Hour
Shift: First Shift
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all. The University of Washington invites applications for the position of Research Tech 2 (temporary) at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC). Established in 1961, the Primate Center is one of a network of seven unique national facilities for nonhuman primate (NHP) research funded by the Office for Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Center is headquartered in the Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center on the UW campus in Seattle Washington, with additional facilities in South Lake Union, Seattle and Mesa, Arizona. The primary purpose of this position is to provide the appropriate environment for the center's NHPs in order to support outstanding biomedical research directed towards significant human health issues and nonhuman primate health, welfare and biology. In conjunction with our Mission Statement, these values link this position to our purpose as a Center: • Commitment to Research • Teamwork • Accountability - Productivity • Communication This Research Technologist 2 reports to the Primate Training Manager within Behavioral Management Services (BMS) and works as a part of the BMS team to ensure the optimal psychological well-being and behavioral health of our NHPs as guided by the federally required UW Environmental Enhancement Plan. BMS staff also contribute to currently accepted professional standards regarding NHP health and well-being through collaboration, presentations and publications of BMS-related scientific research. The ability to understand and follow WaNPRC standard operating procedures (SOPs) and specific research protocols is necessary for this position. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are mandatory as the employee will be interacting closely with diverse staff including veterinary, husbandry, and research staff as well as student volunteers. Position Duties and Responsibilities Primate Training (80%) • Under the direction of the Primate Training Manager, train animals for husbandry, vet, BMS and research procedures. • Review training requests with the Primate Training Manager. • Evaluate the animals and work with the Primate Training Manager on a plan of action. • Respond to training requests in a timely and professional manner. • Keep detailed training records, documenting processes and collecting metrics as directed. • Interact with staff in a positive and discreet manner. Other Research Tech Assignments (20%) • Provide back-up for other members of BMS in a variety of tasks pertaining to psychological well-being and behavioral management. • Assist in BMS-related research projects as needed. • Use standardized data collection methods developed by BMS and attain interobserver reliability as directed. • Contribute to currently accepted professional standards by assisting in literature reviews and participating in the presentation or publication of research on psychological well-being and environmental enrichment topics. • Assist in making, distributing and evaluating enrichment. • Move BMS equipment between facilities as needed. • Dye sedated animals for identification purposes as needed. • Attend weekly Behavioral Management Services lab meetings and other meetings as needed. • Stay current on all required training and reliability testing. • Perform other duties as assigned. The Office of Research and the Primate Center shares President Cauce's commitment to combat inequities and racism. The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the success of our research enterprise and are embedded in the culture of who we are as institution and employer. We will honor different and unique identities and nurture an accessible, welcoming and respectful environment for all staff, and students in the Primate Center and for all members of the UW research community. We will regularly review our services and systems and adapt them to reflect the evolving environments and work styles of our employees and those we serve. We are ALL responsible for confronting bias and inequities, both individual and institutional, that persist here and throughout our society. Our call is to remove barriers and promote access, opportunity, and justice for all. We all must commit to this ongoing work. Recognizing and valuing diversity will make the Primate Center and the University stronger, and enrich the stellar research carried out at the UW. Required Experience Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS) in an appropriate field of science (Psychology, Anthropology, Zoology, or Biology) PLUS one year of research experience equivalent to Research Technologist I OR one year of full-time post-baccalaureate college in an appropriate field of science or technology. Professional level experience may be substituted, year-for-year, for the formal academic degree. • At least two years' experience working with non-human primates. • Must be familiar with observing NHP behavior and be committed to promoting primate well-being. • At least one year of positive reinforcement training experience with primates. • Ability to work effectively and with sensitivity and discretion. • Professional written and oral communication skills. • Understand and follow established written protocols, data collection methods and schedules. • Demonstrated ability to work reliably, consistently, and with attention to detail. • Familiar with Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Desired Experience • Experience with Positive Reinforcement Training of multiple species. • Experience with NHP behavioral research, including writing reports on behavioral observations. • Familiarity with U.S. Animal Welfare Regulations. • Familiarity with environmental enrichment and psychological well-being literature. • Experience working well with people of different personalities, education, and cultural backgrounds as well as working in a fast-paced, multi-task setting. • AALAS certification. • CCPDT, KPDTA, UW-AAB or other animal training certification. • Familiarity with "The Observer" and/or HanDbase behavioral observation software. • Desktop computing skills including word processing, spreadsheet design, making graphs, data sheet design, database utilization (e.g., ARMS). Terms and Conditions for Employment Adhere to the WaNPRC Environmental Enhancement Plan requirements for NHPs. Perform all requisite duties with the goal of meeting the psychological well-being and behavioral health needs of WaNPRC's NHPs. Participate in the Behavioral Management and Positive Reinforcement Animal Training Programs. Develop a working knowledge of classical and operant conditioning principles and how they apply to handling animals in a research environment, with positive reinforcement as the expectation. Develop a working knowledge of non-human primate behavior. Punctuality as well as regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function of this position. The ability to lift a minimum of 50lbs. Appropriate behavior around and appropriate contact with the animals in our care Punctuality, Regular and Predictable attendance is an essential job function of this position. Since this position may be handling controlled substances, the successful candidate will be required to pass a criminal background check. Health and Safety Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of health assessment at the UW's Employee Health Clinic. The health assessment may include but is not limited to tuberculosis clearance, measles clearance, immunizations such as tetanus and vaccinia, physical exam and/or review of work health history, x-rays, and/or assessment to wear positive or negative respiratory protective equipment. These health assessments will be repeated periodically during work assignment. This position may be required to work with and take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially infectious agents. Specific precautions may include wearing respirators and/or protective clothing. Employee is personally responsible for following health & safety and security policies/procedures and staying current on all required training. Blood borne pathogen training and compliance with all WaNPRC, and UW security policies is also mandatory. This position involves handling nonhuman primates and human pathogenic organisms. The ability to work in an ABSL-3 containment facility may be required. Follow health and safety practices to keep the animals healthy and the employees safe. Application Process: The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.