Animal Behavior Scientist

Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD) seeks an enthusiastic colleague to join as an animal behavior scientist within our Animal Behavior Group. The group works primarily with companion animals at the Richland and Kalamazoo site supporting research and development of veterinary medicines.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Works closely with boarded veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) to develop training and behavior modification plans.
• Possess sufficient visual and hearing acuity to recognize and identify normal and abnormal species-specific clinical appearances and behavior patterns.
• Assessments of animal behavior and welfare.
• Behavior modification and training with animals
• Accurately and legibly document written information in a timely manner, including electronic formats and applications.
• Safely handle and restrain the animal species involved with assigned duties and operate and maintain facility equipment and supplies.
• Must be able to wear facility specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including N95 masks and respirators, as required by the job duties based on risk assessment from EH&S.

General expectations:

• Maintains good rapport with Zoetis animal users, researchers, the IACUC, behavior team members, and other Zoetis partner groups.
• Individual is flexible and able to adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Shares knowledge, information, and resources with the team including training and mentoring of other animal users.
• Verbal and written communication including email is professional, easy to understand and clear.
• Uses collaborative problem solving.
• Maintains proficiency in related procedures and compliance with all guidelines and policies. Actively participates in continuing education and skill-building activities.
• Schedule is Monday - Friday; with weekend activities expected on rare occasion.

Qualifications

• Possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Bachelor's Degree is required. A field related to animal behavior is preferred.
• Experience handling cats and dogs in a veterinary or laboratory setting is required.
• 2-4 years animal training experience required. Experience developing and implementing behavior modification plans is preferred.
• Advanced training in animal behavior and training is strongly preferred.
• Experience with research and data collection is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office core applications and ability to learn and use additional applications.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.