Avian Lab Associate

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Overview

This position will be supporting Dr. Selmaan Chettih studying black-capped chickadees. The Lab Associate will join a team focused on understanding the neural mechanisms of memory, using food-caching birds as a model system. The Lab Associate is based in New Haven, CT with intermittent fieldwork to be conducted at sites within 2 Hour radius. Daily tasks include care, feeding and maintenance of birds housed in lab, and assistance with behavioral and neurobiological experiments in the lab. They will also support general lab operations including lab supply ordering, onboarding and training of lab members. Field work in the fall and winter consists of maintenance of field sites and mist-netting to band and collect chickadees.

Cover Letter is required, please make sure to include.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated experience capturing and handling wild birds (netting/ mist-netting).
2. Valid driver's license and ability to drive self to sites and transport animals in vehicle.
3. Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritizing tasks effectively.
4. Ability to work well as part of a team, provide instruction and guidance, and contribute to the overall objectives of the research projects.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Advanced Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher in a related scientific discipline.
2. Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with regulatory compliance, biosafety protocols, and ethical guidelines for human and animal research.
3. Technical Competence: Ability to use and maintain specialized laboratory equipment and software, with expertise in handling and analyzing large data sets, and experience with environmental or clinical data analysis tools.

4. Demonstrated ability to perform independent research, analyze and interpret experimental data.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Recommends the design and implementation of procedures and protocols under the direction of a higher-level authority. 2. Investigates, analyzes, and reaches preliminary scientific conclusions related to research planning 3. Ensures data results are compiled, analyzed, and presented properly. 4. Analyzes, develops and interprets scientific results. Maintains clear documentation of results. Prepares scientific reports and papers for research proposals and published reports. 5. Performs independent research and laboratory techniques and participates in experimental research planning. 6. Interacts with internal contacts including the PI, research assistants, graduate students, Radiation Safety and Biological Safety officers, and Animal Care personnel to discuss and evaluate research results and to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the laboratory. 7. Interacts with external contacts such as researchers at other institutions, staff at biotechnology and reagents companies to consult on research methods and to keep abreast of product information and developments. 8. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and one year experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

04/27/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Research Associate 1 MS (22)

Salary Range

$61,500.00 - $91,875.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.