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Salary Range

$65,000.00 - $101,000.00

Overview

The Biological Anthropology Research Associate 2 (RA2) is responsible for supporting the research programs directed by the Biological Anthropology faculty. Occasionally, responsibilities include working with the research support staff of archaeology. Responsibilities include being an effective, supportive, and proactive scientist and educator. The RA2 works closely with and supports research programs through database development and management, training and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, support for on-campus preparation for domestic and international field research, and teaching activities for the Biological Anthropology faculty.

1. Support the Biological Anthropology Division faculty, researchers, and students.

• Provides professional support for faculty, researchers, and students in association with the different research programs.

• Contributes to the development, maintenance, and organization of faculty research databases and protocols to ensure robust data hygiene, consistency, permanence, and accessibility, including both laboratory- and field-generated samples and data.

• As time and other responsibilities allow, assists and advises faculty, postdocs and students in the process of data sharing and data structure/formatting to fulfill open access commitments to journals and/or funding agencies.

• Provides the best possible resources for research by developing close relationships with faculty, researchers, and students, as well as vendors, collaborators, technical advisors, and other departments/institutions.

• Manages local/national/international  biological and non-biological sample transportation, documentation, and compliance needs associated with the Biological Anthropology research programs.

• Works closely, and in coordination, with existing Biological Anthropology Research support staff.

2. Support and supervise Yale graduate and undergraduate students engaged in biological anthropology research

• Provides laboratory and field research logistical support for graduate and undergraduate student research.

• In coordination with other Yale units, provides data science support (e.g. DISCC, FDS), trains students and assistants on the fundamentals of database development and maintenance.

• Provides mentorship and scholarly/scientific support to undergraduate students for their senior theses, assists students to publish work, and mentors undergraduate assistants through technical training and development.

• Prepares needed datasets/samples/materials for biological anthropology related graduate and undergraduate classes of biological anthropology faculty.

• Works with, supervises, and trains multiple undergraduate and graduate students through technical laboratory aspects of research.

3. Support university and department community outreach initiatives

• Provides larger community services through the following efforts:

• Supports the larger university community in identifying, recording, and describing the complex Biological Anthropology-related collections across the institution.

• Works with  the Yale Peabody Museum with curatorial research needs and responsibilities that engage anthropology researchers.

• In consultation with faculty and anthropology department leadership,  works with  external community members (i.e., media, grade-school inquiries, community organizations) seeking information related to biological anthropology.

The position may involve:

• Coordinating the purchase and use of research equipment (i.e., radioactive isotope equipment, data management hardware and software, field technology) through corresponding Yale units to comply with institutional/local/national/international regulations (e.g. export of software), preparation of samples, and training/supervising students in the preparation of samples (specifically fossil enamel for stable isotope and radiocarbon).

• In coordination and with guidance from the research PIs, determination of the process and best practices for importing/exporting delicate and/or frozen samples globally.

• Supporting the laboratory and field research needs of postdoctoral fellows/associates and graduate students associated with biological anthropology research programs/projects

• Ensuring that the on-campus and off-campus faculty research sites meet appropriate standards, requirements, compliance, and certifications as required by US Federal Agencies supporting the faculty research.

• Assisting with the management and inventory of samples:, supplies, appropriate storage, use, and recording of biological and paleontological samples locally and globally, and developing and maintaining label and barcode systems.

• Processing of shipments to domestic and international collaborators.  Working with local/international collaborators to arrange shipment of samples from international sites to Yale.

• Monitoring of  local and incoming samples.  Works with PIs to manage material transfer agreements, export controls, as well as IACUC and IRB permissions.  Contributes to the management of disposal of biological, chemical, radioactive, and other waste as required by Yale Office for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

• Providing institutional support for the University, for the inventory and assessment of samples across the institution, with close contact and collaboration with multiple levels of University and Department administration, faculty, and staff.

• In coordination with Biological Anthropology Research Support staff, assisting with the maintenance  of detailed inventories of the Biological Anthropology Laboratories/Department of Anthropology biological samples and equipment.

•  In coordination with the Biological Anthropology Research Support staff, monitoring EHS, IRB, and IACUC certification and training for existing and new personnel, facilities, and equipment.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in a related discipline and four years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education and Experience: 

• Ph.D in a related discipline (e.g., Evolutionary Biology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology)

• Interest and experience in one or more fields of biological anthropology, including human and nonhuman primate anatomy and evolution, endocrinology, genetics, primate behavior and ecology, and paleontology.

• Experience in digital database development and management, including label and barcode systems, and knowledge of software/platforms/programs used for managing/sharing data in public and restricted domains.

• Preparation and analysis of samples (e.g. fossil enamel for stable isotope and radiocarbon, extracted DNA).

• Familiarity with research methods, sample collection, and logistics from one or more research fields of biological anthropology.

• Training in Biosafety, Chemical, Radiation, Bloodborne Pathogen, Animal Handling, Vaccination Status, HIPAA training, Ethical Research Standards, etc.

Skills & Abilities-1:  Extremely organized and self-directed, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously. Flexible, self-motivated individual able to organize, lead and support complex team efforts. Ability to problem solve and work independently with little supervision on multiple tasks and projects. Ability to lift/move objects up to 70 lbs.

Skills & Abilities-2: Ability to implement and maintain relational databases that support complex biological anthropology datasets, including morphological, bioarchaeological, and field-derived variables. Ensures secure, scalable, and user-friendly access to data across multiple platforms. Collaborates with IT personnel, research staff, and external software vendors to troubleshoot problems, optimize performance, and integrate new tools. Maintains meticulous documentation and version control to support reproducibility and long-term data stewardship. 

Skills & Abilities-3:  Required to think and respond quickly to problems ranging from large-scale power outages to specimen/sample/instrument repair or stabilization. Works to find the most economical, most effective, and best results for students, researchers, and faculty.  Establishes and maintains connections with representatives from many external vendors.  Well-developed writing skills, including the ability to write broadly understandable public materials, and detailed specimen/laboratory reports for various constituencies including funding federal agencies.

Skills & Abilities-4: Ability to establish and maintain relationships with a diverse range of internal partners (President’s Office, Facilities, EHS, DISCC, FDS) and external partners (local educators and local/state/federal/international government ministries and personnel).

Skills & Abilities-5:  Familiarity with basic office software, multiple database systems (i.e., MS Access, SQL, tiered database systems such as Osteoware).  In conjunction with Yale Information and Technology (IT) support, familiarity with basic electronic/computer functions/coding, including printer management, network management, basic troubleshooting and updating.  Managing technical software licensing, updates, and function.  Familiarity with digital photography and specimen/laboratory photography standards.  Familiarity with cold storage maintenance and alarm system installation/maintenance/troubleshooting. Familiarity with biological sample management, recording and storage requirements. Ability to develop and maintain updated and user-friendly protocols for laboratory and field research pipelines.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Carries out research within the scope of the established study protocol. Adheres to all human subjects regulations as defined by Yale University and the federal government that pertain to research studies. 2. Develops criteria for admission of study subjects based on goals and objectives of project. 3. Determines potential sources of funding and prospective partnerships. 4. Evaluates feasibility of accepting potential projects through analysis of staffing needs, resource requirements, financial costs, and current planned capacity of group. Negotiates contracts and/or changes with funder. 5. Develops original HIC/IRB submissions.  Based on knowledge of science and research goals, collaborates with PIs on major revisions and contributes to scientific protocols.  Plans and implements changes. 6. Develops forms, questionnaires and the application of research techniques; writes procedures manuals for data collection and coding. 7. Responsible for the documentation and transmission of study data.  Ensures that report forms are accurately documented and completed in a timely manner at each site location. 8. Works independently to develop manage and organize multi site studies.  Serves as primary coordinator between University, non-Yale collaborators, pharmaceutical companies, HIC, IRB and funding sources. 9. Performs descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. 10. Designs and implements quality control measures to ensure accurate collection and processing of data. 11. Contributes in-depth, original thought and relevance to written reports and to the writing of abstracts and manuscripts. Required Education and Experience Master’s Degree in a related discipline and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required License(s) or Certification(s) Required License(s) or Certification(s): Physical Requirements Physical Requirements:

Job Posting Date

01/14/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Research Associate 2 HSS (23)

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Location

10 Sachem Street, New Haven, Connecticut

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.

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