Primate Technician

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC, seeks a Primate Technician for the Duke Lemur Center. You will provide exceptional husbandry and behavioral support for our primate population, ensuring welfare and scientific integrity.

The role involves daily health monitoring, feeding, enrichment, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. A bachelor’s degree is generally required, with about six months of related experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Education: Generally requires a bachelor's degree.
• Experience: 6 months of experience in a laboratory, animal care, or similar setting.

Responsibilities

• Monitor primate health through daily observation of physical condition, behavior, and environmental factors; record and report any abnormalities.
• Provide daily care, feeding, and specialized diets to maintain optimal health and wellness.
• Clean and maintain animal quarters, ensuring a safe, sanitary, and enriching living environment.
• Assist with cage construction and minor repairs tailored to species-specific needs, locomotion, and social dynamics.
• Conduct regular training sessions and provide behavioral enrichment aligned with program guidelines.
• Support non-invasive research by assisting with animal capture, restraint, weighing, and specimen collection.
• Assist in routine and emergency veterinary care, including physical exams and medication administration.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Primate Technician, you'll play a vital role in supporting the Duke Lemur Center's mission by providing exceptional husbandry, care, and behavioral support for our primate population. Your care, attention, and passion ensure that each animal thrives in an environment that values well-being, scientific integrity, and compassionate stewardship.

Be Bold.

As a Primate Technician, you'll be part of an innovative and worldrenowned research and conservation center. Your work directly supports animal welfare, contributes to groundbreaking non-invasive research, and advances the understanding and protection of endangered primate species.

What You'll Do:

• Monitor primate health through daily observation of physical condition, behavior, and environmental factors; record and report any abnormalities.
• Provide daily care, feeding, and specialized diets to maintain optimal health and wellness.
• Clean and maintain animal quarters, ensuring a safe, sanitary, and enriching living environment.
• Perform animal transport duties, move supplies and materials, and operate motor vehicles when required.
• Assist with cage construction and minor repairs tailored to species-specific needs, locomotion, and social dynamics.
• Conduct regular training sessions and provide behavioral enrichment aligned with Duke Lemur Center program guidelines.
• Support non-invasive research by assisting with animal capture, restraint, weighing, and specimen collection.
• Assist in routine and emergency veterinary care, including physical exams, medication administration, fecal collection, reproductive monitoring, and infant care assessments.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues, contributing to an open, supportive learning environment.
• Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to new team members throughout their training period.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support overall primate care and center operations.

Choose Duke.

Joining the Duke Lemur Center means becoming part of a collaborative community dedicated to excellence in animal welfare, scientific advancement, and conservation. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who are committed to creating meaningful impact‑locally and globally.

Position Requirements:

• Education: Generally requires a bachelor's degree.
• Experience: 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

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $20.65 to USD $29.43. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, or military 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 essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).