Research Student Assistants, Level II

Dr. Kinnally at the California National Primate Research Center seeks to fill 2-3 research intern positions at the Student Intern Level 2 starting in May or June, 2026. The successful candidate will work on multiple studies examining the behavioral neuroscience of development and aging in rhesus monkeys.

Essential Responsibilities

80% Assist with data collection 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.
• Record behavior in multiple contexts (ie, live, eyetracking or video) in standardized fashion.
• Assist in innovating new ways to compare monkey and human data using open datasets.
• Assist with the preparation and analysis of nonhuman primate tissues.
• Prepare equipment and testing spaces for experiments.
• Clean equipment and testing spaces.
• Assist with organization of data.
• Prepare solutions, medias, and buffers.
• Use laboratory equipment including centrifuges, incubators, etc.
• Assist with designing experiments and preparing data for publication and presentations.

20% Scientific / Academic:

• 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, staff and graduate students to assist with design and implementation of experiments.
• Conduct literature reviews associated with ongoing laboratory projects.
• Participate in investigator and group meetings.
• Attend recommended relevant talks and lectures presented on campus.
• Assist with designing experiments and preparing data for publication and presentations.

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 after hours, 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 UC Davis 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

• Major in Psychology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Animal Behavior, Computer Science or equivalent.
• Experience using MS Excel.
• Understanding of 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

• Coursework in Complex Systems, Complexity theory
• Coding experience (Python, R)
• 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.
• Experience using statistical software for managing data sets.
• Knowledge of non-human primate behavior.
• Experience manipulating and analyzing large datasets.
• Laboratory experience processing biological samples.
• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills for research and technical problems.
• 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.  
• Experience working in a BSL2+ or greater facility.