Animal Trainer Specialist

Company Overview

Astera Neuro is a philanthropically funded research organization within the Astera Institute, working to decipher and ultimately write the neural codes underlying perception, thought, behavior, and internal state. The tools this requires do not yet exist. We are assembling a founding team of experimental neuroscientists, computational scientists, and engineers to build them, from recording and interface hardware to software and computational methods, and to use them to study neural activity at unprecedented scale, with direct promise for treating neurological and psychiatric disease. We pursue high-risk, high-reward science in a collaborative, well-resourced environment and share our tools, data, and discoveries openly under Astera's Open Science Policy.

Position Summary

This role is hands-on and central to the operation of the research program. You will design and run positive-reinforcement training protocols for husbandry and procedural cooperation; implement enrichment and socialization programs designed with the veterinary and behavioral teams; perform daily behavioral and health observations; train animals for voluntary participation in research and veterinary procedures; and maintain the records that keep the program compliant. You will work under the guidance of the Lead Animal Trainer to learn our protocols and colony, with the expectation that you will grow into running training programs independently as your experience develops. The quality of your work directly shapes the welfare of the animals and the reliability of the science.

What You Will Do

• Design and deliver positive-reinforcement training programs for the NHP population per established SOPs, initially under the direction of the Lead Animal Trainer.

• Train animals for voluntary cooperation with husbandry, veterinary, and research procedures (e.g., station training, targeting, injection/blood-draw cooperation).

• Implement environmental enrichment and social-housing programs designed by the veterinary and behavioral teams.

• Perform daily behavioral and health observations and report clinical, behavioral, or environmental abnormalities to the veterinary team promptly.

• Track and document training progress, shaping plans, and behavioral milestones to support IACUC, USDA, and AAALAC compliance.

• Assist veterinary, research, and behavioral teams with animal handling, transport, weighing, and procedural support as needed.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of training SOPs, behavioral records, and enrichment practices as the program grows.

Who You Are

Required:

• Commitment to AALAS certification. Candidates are expected to obtain ALAT within 12 months of hire and LAT within an additional 24 months, with our support. Current ALAT, LAT, or LATG certification is a plus.

• Hands-on experience training animals using positive reinforcement techniques (PRT).

• Familiarity with USDA, OLAW, AAALAC, and IACUC regulations and the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

• Prior experience in an SOP-driven, regulated animal care environment.

Preferred/Nice to Have:

• Direct experience training NHP’s, in a research, zoo, aquarium, or sanctuary setting.

• Experience working in an AAALAC-accredited facility.

• Active engagement with the professional training community (e.g., ABMA or IMATA membership) or formal coursework in applied behavior analysis.

• Experience maintaining electronic behavioral, training, or animal health records.

Education

• Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of experience, or equivalent practical experience.

Compensation

The posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive benefits, commensurate with their experience.

Why Join Us

This is a chance to build an animal care and behavior program from the ground up rather than inherit one. You will shape the training culture and standards of a new, purpose-built facility, working alongside veterinarians, scientists, and engineers who treat excellent animal care as inseparable from excellent science. Our training philosophy is grounded in choice, cooperation, and positive reinforcement, and the research you support is aimed at treating neurological and psychiatric disease and shared openly with the field. We back this with competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and real room to grow.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion!