Researcher in Animal Welfare - CFM 2481

at  Medical Research Council

Open Date
12/09/2024, 11:00
Close Date
13/10/2024, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Centre for Macaques
Research Institute / Unit Information
The Medical Research Council Centre for Macaques is a primate breeding unit established in 2003 to house and breed rhesus macaques, funded by the MRC with support from the Wellcome Trust, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Non-human primates continue to be used in some areas of research where there are no alternative approaches. Macaques are non-human primates which have similarities to humans in their vision, central nervous system and immunology and reproductive system. The monkeys are used in basic and applied research within the academic sector in the UK, funded by the major grant-giving bodies. The unit houses about 250 animals including breeding stock and youngsters. The breeding programme is planned so that supply and demand are matched, to prevent in-breeding and to ensure there is no need to import animals.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band

MRC - 4

Location
Salisbury
Salary
£39,375 - £41,843 per annum, dependent on skills and experience
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Job Type
Science
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Contract Length
Three years
Job Description

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential:

• PhD in an animal behaviour-related and/or animal welfare-related field, or equivalent experience

Desirable:

• PhD in primate or laboratory animal welfare

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Experience in working with animals
• Experience in collecting animal behaviour data

Desirable:

• Experience in working with primates and/or laboratory animals

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• Knowledge of animal welfare measures and how to collect them
• Expertise and skills in original research
• Expertise in data analysis using programming software (R, Python or MATLAB)
• Skills in paper-writing to disseminate research data and ideas
• Presentation skills in delivering talks and posters

Desirable:

• Expertise in setting up video cameras for high-quality data collection
• Skills in analysing and/or annotating video data
• Expertise, skills and knowledge in primate behaviour including the identification of individual animals within a group
• Awareness of systematic review process

PERSONAL SKILLS/BEHAVIOURS/QUALITIES:

Essential:

• Ability to manage time effectively
• Able to work as part of a team
• Good communication skills

Further Information

OVERALL PURPOSE:

The Centre for Macaques (CFM) at Porton Down, Salisbury is a primate breeding facility funded by both the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust to ensure the availability and supply of rhesus macaques to UK academia. It is located on a high security site near Salisbury managed by the Ministry of Defence. The CFM breeds, trains and supplies high-quality, suitable animals and animal tissues to the UK research community.
A recent review of the CFM highlighted the world-leading work carried out by the CFM in video analysis of primate behaviour. As part of the review, it was recommended that this post be created to prepare and annotate a macaque dataset for use in artificial intelligence (AI) model development and analysis. The dataset will provide multiple opportunities for AI researchers to investigate a range of challenges in individual identification, range of postures, social behaviours and movement through complex enriched enclosures. The CFM is uniquely placed to develop this dataset as it houses multiple groups of macaques in similar but not identical pens, allowing comparisons to be made across groups. This dataset will be shared with AI researchers within and outside UKRI. The dataset will also be shared with primate welfare researchers to develop and validate new welfare measures for macaques.
The post-holder will be leading the project to create this new dataset. The dataset will consist of annotated video data, additional validated welfare measures and life history information for the groups. The post-holder will carry out quality control checks on existing video data from the CFM, annotate the videos for identification of animals and behaviour, and collect new videos and welfare measures. As part of their role, they will liaise with other primate centres and primate researchers to develop a robust ethogram for macaque behaviour to be annotated, and to select the most suitable welfare metrics for macaques.

MAIN DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The post-holder will:

• Create a new dataset of primate welfare and behaviour measures that can be shared with other researchers
• Carry out systematic reviews of macaque behaviour and welfare measures and select the best measures to collect for the new dataset
• Collect the new welfare measures and videos
• Annotate and analyse video data
• Prepare the new dataset for sharing with other researchers
• Present research and write journal articles
• Visit conferences and other primate centres

CORPORATE/LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS:

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality and Diversity policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection and Security policy

The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.