Research Associate: Comparative Animal Welfare & Behavior

University of Pennsylvania; United (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania seeks a Research Associate to advance comparative psychology in animals, focusing on sow welfare at the Swine Teaching and Research Center. You will design controlled behavioral experiments, implement computer vision tracking, and analyze chronic biomarkers in pigs.

Collaborating with investigators in animal behavior, engineering, and data science, you will manage on-farm trials, collect samples, perform assays, and contribute to publications, while training

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (animal behavior, animal welfare, animal science…).
• Experience with animal behavioral research.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills.
• Proficiency in R or similar tools.
• Ability to work independently and on farms.

Responsibilities

• Design, coordinate, and conduct controlled behavioral experiments.
• Manage and execute on-farm research trials, including animal handling and monitoring.
• Implement and support computer vision systems for automated behavioral tracking.
• Collect and process biological samples (e.g., salivary cortisol).
• Conduct biomarker assays on these biological samples.
• Conduct behavioral assays such as open field and novel object tests.
• Process and analyze large datasets using statistical tools.
• Contribute to publications and reports.
• Train and mentor students.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent work

Farm work ability

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

R

Job description

The University of Pennsylvania seeks a Research Associate to advance comparative psychology in animals, focusing on sow welfare at the Swine Teaching and Research Center. You will design controlled behavioral experiments, implement computer vision tracking, and analyze chronic biomarkers in pigs.

Collaborating with investigators in animal behavior, engineering, and data science, you will manage on-farm trials, collect samples, perform assays, and contribute to publications, while training