Manager, Behavior - NHP

This job contributes to organizational success by:

Environmental Enhancement Program:

• Regularly review and update the Nonhuman Primate Environmental Enhancement Plan (EE plan) to ensure it meets and exceeds all relevant regulations and guidelines for the variety of species, ages, gender and housing conditions held at each site.
• Update plan in coordination with site behaviourists, enrichment teams, Attending Veterinarians and operations managers and ensure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are consistent with the plan.
• Create a standardized process for behavioral assessment and monitoring .
• Develop and implement, in coordination with the attending veterinarian, site behaviorists and enrichment teams, intervention strategies to encourage species typical behaviors and reduce stress
• Create and incorporate Positive Reinforcement Techniques (PRT) for husbandry and handling procedures.
• Develop and train personnel on shaping/training plans for acclimation and desensitization to activities and new environments.
• Utilize a data driven approach based on the most current data for all programs created.
• Create and nurture a culture of behavioral care on site by regular training of staff at all levels on the basic principles of behavior assessment and recognition of behavioral well-being.
• Create and present training material on nonhuman primate behavior, positive reinforcement training, habituation and desensitization techniques, temperament assessments and animal welfare regulations to support the culture of behavioral care.
• Create standard behavior socialization policies for all housing and grouping types (Corn cribs, field cages, indoor/outdoor housing, quarantine, shipping, and hospital).
• Manage, in coordination with site behaviorists and technical personnel, introductions of pair or group-housed animals in holding and breeding colonies.
• Coordinate with site behaviorists to ensure regularly scheduled observations and monitoring of social pairs and groups.
• Maintain detailed socialization records in the electronic nonhuman primate management database.
• Create and lead a nonhuman primate behavior committee locally to regularly discuss socialization of group, pair or singly housed animals with particular focus on their housing conditions.
• Develop a program for any new nonhuman primate breeding initiatives per current data and breeding needs (forecasting) in consultation with the breeding manager and Attending Veterinarian.
• Support the nursery veterinary technical team to ensure socialization needs are met for nursery infants, including introductions to dams or fosters as applicable.

Enrichment Plan:

• In collaboration with the Enrichment team, create and implement an enrichment program meeting the EE Plan for all NHPs at each site.
• Identify the enrichment needs in each functional area and develop a strategy for implementing novel toys and/or devices to encourage natural species-specific behavior under different housing conditions.
• Develop a method for evaluating enrichment items for safety and efficacy.
• Review enrichment records, collate data and provide metrics as needed.

Staff Training & Development

• Train husbandry and enrichment teams on normal and abnormal nonhuman primate behavior.
• Train behavior and enrichment teams on conducting behavioral assessments and monitoring of behavioural well-being.
• Train husbandry, enrichment, and behavior teams on operant conditioning positive reinforcement training techniques.
• Provide detailed training records to the training coordinator to document processes and provide metrics.
• Assess and document proficiency after personnel training sessions.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the training program using proficiency data and adjust accordingly.
• Collaborate with the Behavioral and Enrichment staff and other subject matter experts on behavioral research projects for presentation.

Individual Training & Development

• Conduct research pertaining to behavior, enrichment, and animal welfare.
• Consult literature, discuss research design, collect scientific data, and contribute to manuscripts/abstracts for publication.
• Apply scientific literature to solve technical problems, advise on inquiries, provide scientific guidance/expertise and effectively manage projects relating to animal behavior.
• Maintain current job knowledge in nonhuman primate behavior and applicable regulations by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Maintain awareness of competitive initiatives and related industry news.

External, Client and Customer Expectations

• Interact with and accompany site visitors as needed, to explain the Behavior program.
• Develop and present scientific training material to internal and external personnel as necessary.
• Receive customer inquiries relating to animal behaviour and provide verbal and/or written responses as needed.
• Provide support to develop client facing materials, technical communications, and presentations as part of marketing campaigns.
• Coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.
• Travel regularly between Alice, TX sites and to Denver, PA site for audits, training, scientific meetings and customer support.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum

• BS degree or equivalent in Biosciences with expertise in animal behavior.
• 5 years of related industry experience in NHP behavior.

Preferred

• MS Behavioral Sciences

Standards of Performance:

• Proven results in a cross functional team environment.
• Ability to prioritize and align activities with corporate strategy.
• Detail-oriented and proficient in work production, with minimal supervision; timeline driven.
• Independent decision making.
• Ability to communicate appropriate technical information to individuals at all levels.
• Literate computer skills, to include word processing, spreadsheet, and database management. Experience with Microsoft Office and PowerPoint is a must.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to make decisions when there is no clear right or wrong answer.
• Self-starter; takes initiative.
• Strong organization and an ability to multi-task; able to handle multiple projects at different phases of development at the same time. Prioritize tasks and maintain project momentum/progress.
• Maintain pleasant and professional manner with colleagues and customers alike.
• Quality, animal welfare and customer-focused mindset.

*This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience. The salary range will adjust along with the level of the role to match the person's relevant experience and/or education level.

Inotiv is a growing contemporary drug discovery and development company where we "Play to Win" in an industry rich with opportunity. Together, we face challenges and together we win in the delivery of world-class drug discovery and development solutions that impact the health and well-being of people all over the world. There's an opportunity for everyone at all phases of a career, each individual's unique skill set has an impact on the work we conduct. If you have the talent and desire to impact the quality of people's lives, we have the career opportunities to make it happen. Join us in embracing research and science to impact the health and well-being of people all over the world.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and responsibilities. Benefits include health and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid parental leave, 401K, and more!

Inotiv is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.