Research Associate - Comparative Psychology in Animals

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

Research Associate – Comparative Psychology in Animals

Location: Kennett Square, PA

Open Date: Sep 25, 2026

Deadline: Oct 08, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center is seeking ahighly motivated Research Associate to join a multidisciplinaryresearch team focused on developing novel, non-invasive, automated,and objective approaches to assessing sow welfare and well-being.The successful candidate will play a central role in executingcontrolled behavioralexperiments, implementing computervision-based monitoring systems, and researching chronic biomarkersof welfare in pigs at the University of Pennsylvania School ofVeterinary Medicine's Swine Teaching and Research Center.

This position involves a combination of on-farm experimental work,data acquisition using advanced sensing technologies, andquantitative data analysis, with close collaboration with thePrincipal Investigator, Dr. Thomas Parsons, and collaborators inanimal behavior, engineering, and data science. The overarchinggoal is to generate robust, animal-based data to informevidence-based improvements in sow housing systems.

Key Responsibilities

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

Working Conditions

A combination of laboratory, office, and farm-based work. Regular interaction with animals.

Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with computer vision or machine learning.
• Familiarity with swine production systems.
• Experience with sensor technologies.
• Prior publications.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• Grant writing experience.
• Veterinary training.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state, or local law.