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Research Support, Behavior and Training Specialist

Employer
Pfizer
Location
Groton, Connecticut
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jul 7, 2022

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Sector
Pharmaceutical, Support Roles
Hours
Full Time
Organization Type
Corporate
Jobseeker Type
Professional
Why Patients Need You

Everything we do, every day, is in line with an unwavering commitment to the quality and the delivery of safe and effective products to patients. Our science and risk-based compliant quality culture is flexible, innovative, and customer oriented. Whether you are involved in development, maintenance, compliance or analysis through research programs, your contribution will directly impact patients.

What You Will Achieve

This position focuses on training colleagues in the handling, care, and cooperative handling of primarily nonhuman primates (NHPs) and also serves as a subject matter expert and key contributor to the hands-on training program and handling of NHPs and other species (e.g., habituation, positive reinforcement training). The position will aid in implementing novel approaches and continuous improvement to nonhuman primate handling and aid in implementing and expanding our cooperative training program in NHPs and other species at a GLP facility.

How You Will Achieve

The primary responsibility is to be a part of a team of individuals passionate about nonhuman primate care and behavior and integral to the success of the NHP acclimation, habituation and cooperative training/ positive reinforcement program by performing tactical components NHP handling and training. This includes training colleagues in key concepts of behavior and handling as a Subject Matter Expert.

  • Work with the CM Scheduler to schedule hands-on training sessions with CM Operations and veterinary technicians in applicable programs and techniques such as acclimation, habituation, and cooperative training/ positive reinforcement program, and socialization. Complete training documentation for trainees in electronic database
  • Create and edit shaping plans for handling, create and adjust behavior management plans, and perform temperament testing to aid in socialization program, where appropriate
  • Work with veterinarians and Global Training colleagues to aid in the writing and revising of training modules and for applicable programs and techniques
  • Contribute to local/global teams in the refinement, continuous improvement, and innovative concepts in nonhuman primate and handling
  • Serve as a role model in human safety when working with and handling nonhuman primates
  • Set a workplace standard through leading by example, showing mastery of all animal handling SOPs, regulatory guidelines and Pfizer policies
  • Exemplify work-place standards, positive habits and behaviors to co-workers
  • Interact with key in vivo research contacts to expand acclimation/handling/ positive reinforcement that meets study needs and objectives
  • Contribute to operational excellence by the collation of metrics to aid in staffing and scheduling for NHP training, acclimation, etc.
  • Rotate occasional weekends to expand touchpoints for NHPs in training, work alongside trainees progressing in training, and aid in study readiness of trainees
  • Maintain appropriate animal health, husbandry, or study-related records in compliance with regulatory and departmental standards


Qualifications

Must-Have
  • BS/BA degree with 3-4 years of related experience or a Master's degree with 1-2 years of related experience.
  • The candidate must be an expert at nonhuman primate handling and restraint, specifically in NHP cooperative methods and an expert at training nonhuman primates in novel approaches in cooperative handling and restraint (outside of typical pole/collar carrying or hand catching).
  • All colleagues should have functional knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook, and calendar management. Colleagues should be able to use online systems such as time tracking and document management (e.g., electronic medical records, SharePoint, Activity Tracker). Knowledge and use of other systems based upon job function may be required.


Nice-to-Have
  • AALAS certification preferred.
  • Experience working in a large, complex nonhuman primate facility (e.g., National Primate Research Center, CRO) with a focus on nonhuman primate behavior and training is preferred.


PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Ability to perform repetitive physical activities such as: pushing and pulling racks of caging, lifting and moving water bottles, bags of feed and bedding, reaching, stooping and bending.
  • Ability to move 50-pound bags of feed and bedding and a Functional Capacity Evaluation may be required.
  • For this position you are expected to enter the nonhuman primate areas as part of your job responsibilities. A pre-hire requirement is either providing proof of measles immunity or receiving the measles vaccination before hire.
  • In house TB testing is completed annually.


NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

  • This is an Essential Personnel role.


Essential Personnel are defined as the staff that are required to report to their designated work location, to ensure the operation of essential functions or departments during an emergency, as determined by Pfizer, or when the business has suspended operations. There are some individuals who may be required to perform essential services remotely and those individuals will be identified in advance and notified by their supervisors, but in most cases Essential Personnel are required to be on-site during an emergency or suspension of operations.
  • Relocation support available


Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.

Research and Development

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