PRIMATE TECHNICIAN

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

BASIC FUNCTIONS: Perform a variety of technical tasks related to the care, management and research of rare primates at the Duke Lemur Center. The DLC is a fast-paced work environment and depends heavily on a team based operational structure. The position is a husbandry focused position not involved in research directly. The successful candidates must be able to work at a fast pace, possess excellent communication skills, able to work as part of a diverse team, be able to adapt to a dynamic work environment, learn quickly, possess excellent observation skills and have very good attention to detail.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform routine and standardized technical (keeper) tasks to provide for the daily feeding, cleaning and health care of primates including the recording of data such as body weight, medication given, food consumption, behavior, training sessions and enrichment.
• Maintain cleanliness and condition of animal enclosures, and sufficient stock and supplies for the proper performance of duties.
• Perform a varietyof tasks that provide assistance as needed with the coordination and execution of DLC non-invasive research projects including, but not limited to, capture and restraint, weighing primates, obtaining specimens and observing behavioral patterns.
• Assist in routine and emergency medical treatment for primates such as surgery, physical exams, administration of fluids, medicines and contraceptives, fecal collection, palpations, sexing and weighing of infants, and monitoring of reproductive cycles. 
• Report and record signs of diseases and/or behavioral concerns through observation of physical condition and behavior. Report changes in environmental conditions which affect the well-being of the primates.
• Administer special diets to ensure adequate vitamins and trace mineral elements; feed and water primates according to schedule. Maintain cleanliness of animal quarters and assigned areas. Transport animals, supplies and materials; operate motor vehicle as required. Design and construct cages based on species-specific behavior, locomotor patterns and social groupings; perform minor repairs on cages and equipment.
• Conduct regular animal training sessions and provide enrichment in accordance with the guidelines and expectations of the Duke Lemur Center animal training and enrichment program.
• Communicate in a professional manner with a variety of personalities to promote an open exchange of information and ideas, as well as team work. Provide constructive feedback to new co-workers throughout their training.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS:

Education: Work generally requires a bachelor's degree.

Experience & Skill Requirement:

Work generally requires 6 months of experience in a laboratory, animal care, or similar setting to become familiar with the technical tasks associated with the feeding and health care of animals. College course work in biology, zoology, animal sciences, or a related field may be substituted for experience.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Work generally requires a bachelor's degree.

Work generally requires 6 months of experience in a laboratory, animal OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE care, or similar setting to become familiar with the technical tasks associated with the feeding and health care of animals. College course work in biology, zoology, animal sciences, or a related field may be substituted for experience.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.