Comparative Medicine Behavior and Training Specialist (United States - Connecticut - Groton)

This job is with Pfizer, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Why Patients Need You

Pfizer's purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer's purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world. 

What You Will Achieve

As part of the Comparative Medicine team, you will join a group of dedicated professionals passionate about the care, behavior, and welfare of laboratory animal species. You will play a key role in the success of our acclimation, habituation and cooperative training/positive reinforcement programs by performing tactical components of non-human primate and canine handling and training. This includes training colleagues in key concepts of behavior and handling as a Subject Matter Expert. 

It is your hard work along with innovative ideas and focus that will help in making Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help patients across the globe. 

How You Will Achieve It

• Work with the CM Scheduler to schedule hands-on training sessions with CM Operations and veterinary technicians in applicable programs and techniques such as acclimation, habituation, and cooperative training/ positive reinforcement program, and socialization.

• Complete training documentation for trainees in electronic database 

• Create and edit shaping plans for handling, create and adjust behavior management plans, and perform temperament testing to aid in socialization program, where appropriate 

• Work with veterinarians and Global Training colleagues to aid in the writing and revising of training modules and for applicable programs and techniques 

• Contribute to local/global teams in the refinement, continuous improvement, and innovative concepts in nonhuman primate and handling 

• Serve as a role model in human safety when working with and handling nonhuman primates 

• Set a workplace standard through leading by example, showing mastery of all animal handling SOP's, regulatory guidelines and Pfizer policies. 

• Exemplify work-place standards, positive habits and behaviors to co-workers. 

• Interact with key in vivo research contacts to expand acclimation/handling/ positive reinforcement that meets study needs and objectives. 

• Contribute to operational excellence by the collation of metrics to aid in staffing and scheduling for NHP training, acclimation, etc. 

• Rotate occasional weekends to expand touchpoints for NHPs in training, to work alongside trainees progressing in training, and aid in study readiness of trainees 

• Maintain appropriate animal health, husbandry, or study-related records in compliance with regulatory and departmental standards

May be required to work under one of the following: The United States Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act and associated Regulations and Standards, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Good Laboratory Practices, Public Health Service Policy and/or AAALAC accreditation standards. 

Qualifications 

Must-Have  

• BS/BA with 3 to 5 years' experience OR MA/MBA/MS with 0 to 4 years' experience

• The candidate must be an expert at nonhuman primate handling and restraint, specifically in NHP cooperative methods and an expert at training nonhuman primates in novel approaches in cooperative handling and restraint eg. open and/or closed chair

• All colleagues should have functional knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook, and calendar management. Colleagues should be able to use on line systems such as time tracking and document management. (e.g. electronic medical records, SharePoint, Activity Tracker).

• Knowledge and use of other systems based upon job function may be required 

Nice-to-Have 

• AALAS certification preferred. 

• Experience working in a large, complex nonhuman primate facility (ex: national primate research center) with a focus on nonhuman primate behavior and training is preferred. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform repetitive physical activities such as: pushing and pulling racks of caging, lifting and moving water bottles, bags of feed and bedding, reaching, stooping and bending. 

• Ability to move 50-pound bags of feed and bedding and a Functional Capacity Evaluation may be required. 

• For this position, you are expected to enter the nonhuman primate areas as part of your job responsibilities, a pre-hire requirement is either providing proof of measles immunity or receiving the measles vaccination before hire. 

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This is an Essential Personnel role:  Essential Personnel are defined as the staff that are required to report to their designated work location, to ensure the operation of essential functions or departments during an emergency, as determined by Pfizer, or when the business has suspended operations. There are some individuals who may be required to perform essential services remotely and those individuals will be identified in advance and notified by their supervisors, but in most cases Essential Personnel are required to be on-site during an emergency or suspension of operations.

Some weekend work may be required, but it is very occasional.

Other job details:

• Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $68,600.00 to $114,300.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 7.5% of the base salary. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life's moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site - U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

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