The role

This fixed-term parental leave cover post is to work on a BBSRC research grant ‘Individual differences in affective processing and implications for animal welfare: a reaction norm approach’ investigating the existence of trait or personality differences in decision-making and their links to animal welfare in laboratory rats. Candidates should have substantial experience of running rat behavioural studies using operant equipment, plus collecting relevant behavioural testing data (e.g. lickometer, EPM) and physiological samples (e.g. faecal sampling), in order to take over day-to-day management and running of the project, including its research technician, in a fairly short transition period.

 

The post will be based at Bristol Veterinary School on the University of Bristol’s Langford campus and will run from 1st Aug 2025 to 31st March 2026.

 

What will you be doing?

The postholder’s duties will include, with assistance and advice from the leadership team and a research technician: collecting behavioural data and non-invasive physiological samples; preparing samples for analysis; collating, organising, and statistically and computationally analysing data; ensuring project adherence to quality assurance, Health and Safety, University, funders and Home Office rules and regulations; organising the rehoming of all subjects at the end of each study. They will also, with support from the project leadership team, manage the work of the project’s research technician.

 

You should apply if

Applicants should have a PhD in animal welfare, animal behaviour or a related subject. Candidates who have been examined and recommended for the degree of PhD in these areas are also eligible to apply. They should have substantial experience of working with laboratory rats and running rat behavioural studies using Med Associates operant equipment, plus collecting relevant behavioural testing data (e.g. lickometer, EPM) and physiological samples (e.g. faecal sampling). They should have proven capability in data handling, collation, statistical, and computational modelling analysis. Candidates should already have a Home Office PIL, or should hold a PIL training course certificate.

 

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term contract (01/08/2025 – 31/03/2026) (or earlier return of post-holder)

 

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 13/04/2025

For any informal queries please contact Prof Mike Mendl (mike.mendl@bris.ac.uk)

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