Research Associate in Animal Behaviour

University of Bristol; Clifton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Bristol seeks a Research Associate to support a BBSRC grant project focused on measuring welfare through reward learning across species. The role involves designing and testing automated reward devices, collaborating with engineers, and conducting in-lab and field studies with mice, chickens and dogs.

You will develop testing protocols and may gain coding experience for RFID integration. Initial funding is for 12 months with a potential extension to 30/11/2027.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test novel reward delivery devices in different species.
• Input to the design of devices and evaluate prototypes in mice, chickens and dogs.
• Develop optimised training and testing protocols for behavioural assays.
• Conduct proof-of-concept field studies to assess sensitivity to affective state.
• Develop coding routines for behavioural testing and RFID integration.

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate to support a BBSRC grant funded under its spotlight call in the area of ‘Fundamental research to enhance animal welfare' and specifically 'measures of welfare, including developing and validating new measures'. Funding is available for 12 months in the first instance with the expectation this will be extended for a further 12 months. The project seeks to develop methods that enable the objective quantification of affective state in different species based on reward learning. We have shown impairments in reward learning have the potential to provide a trans-species, behavioural biomarker of affective state. This project will develop automated methods to quantify reward learning in chickens and dogs as well as expanding our studies in mice. The project will include in lab and field-based behavioural studies and working with engineers to develop novel automated devices. The project includes plans to develop species relevant devices which can be integrated with RFID detection to enable individualised programming and data collection. The ultimate goal will be to validate both the concept of reward learning as a behavioural biomarker of affective state and methods to enable its quantification to facilitate unbiased assessment of animal welfare in different species.

What will you be doing?

You will join a team of researchers working across neuroscience, psychopharmacology and animal welfare. The main purpose of the role will be to work with the project engineers and specialist technician to develop and test novel reward delivery devices in different species. This will include input to the design of the devices, evaluating prototypes in mice, chickens and dogs and developing optimised training and testing protocols. We will then run proof of concept studies in the field-testing sensitivity to different affective state. There will also be an opportunity to develop coding expertise both for the development of the behavioural testing protocols and integration with RFID chip readers.

You should apply if

• You have a passion for animal behaviour and interest in developing novel behavioural technologies.
• Previous experience in either animal welfare and behaviour, neuroscience and psychology, and/or engineering and computer science would be beneficial, but we recognise this project will involve a range of skills and there will be opportunities to gain additional training where needed.
• You will need to be comfortable working with a different species and visiting local farms or people’s homes.
• Good organisational skills are essential as well as an ability to manage your time and multitask.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term (funding available until 30/11/2027)

Work pattern: Full-time

Grade: I

School/Unit: School of Psychology and Neuroscience

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 21st October 2026

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