Behavior Data Acquisition Technician - Contingent

Job Description

***THIS IS AN 18-MONTH CONTINGENT POSITION***

Position is located in St. Joseph, MO. Local AND Remote Candidates will be considered.

TEAM INFORMATION: The Nestle Purina PetCare Company is dedicated to ensuring the best lives possible for the pets we love.
We believe that connected-pet products (i.e. collars, bowls, etc.) on and around a pet will be valuable tools in enabling a better future for our pets through our ability to translate a pets data into meaningful, actionable insight for the pet owner.

As the world-leader in PetCare, Nestle Purina is actively acquiring pet data at-scale which will be used as input into identifying relevant descriptive, predictive and prescriptive insights. Our deep expertise in pet health and wellness, positions Purina well to translate these data-enabled insights into actionable advice and recommendations to pet owners.
The person contracted for these roles will be part of an active team focused on the acquisition of behavioral data from pets interacting with connected-pet products. Further, this person will work collaboratively with Purina’s many pet experts and technical teams.
If you get excited about being part of something big…something that will be transformational to the future of PetCare…apply to join our team; together we can make a difference in the lives of pets around the world.

OPENINGS:
5 openings in total. Three will be remote, two will need to be on site in St. Joseph, MO each day. Local candidates will be considered for the on-site positions.

POSITION DESCRIPTION Nestle Purina is actively seeking five skilled and dynamic technicians excited about the opportunity to improve the health and wellness of pets by acquiring pet data through use of pet IoT products in-homes and in our world-leading research centers. This person will be a member on an agile team with a global responsibility and will have the opportunity to play a central role and wear many hats.

The Global Digital Solutions Group is responsible to develop the algorithms and AI that deliver personalized behavior, health, wellness and nutrition insights from a pet’s acquired data. These positions are part of the team responsible for the collection of the high quality pet-training data (sensor data, labelled video and other data in time-series) used as the primary input supporting Purina data scientist development of the insight-generating AI within Purina’s commercial IoT, diagnostic and other digital products.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Animal Science or related discipline, with an emphasis in Animal Behavior, or experience in collection/labeling of behavioral data from video/sensors
• Experience using behavior coding software (e.g., Noldus, Mangold) or processes (e.g., direct labeling in Excel or custom software) to label behavior from video footage
• Ability to work with internal/external customers to assess needs, aid, and resolve problems, using excellent problem-solving skills and verbal/written communication to non-technical audiences

SKILLS & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR REMOTE CANDIDATES:
• Excellent communication, analytical, facilitation and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• The ability to communicate to others through insightful visualizations, reports and presentations
• Quantitative reasoning and practical thinking
• Ability to write and maintain technical and non-technical instructions in the use of programs/reports and/or program/report/ modifications, in addition to presenting results as needed
• Strong organizational, communication and project management skills
• Must be a highly-motivated, independent and able to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment

SKILLS & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ON-SITE CANDIDATES:
• Careful execution of protocols designed to test and validate AI and algorithms in coordination with data scientists and commercial digital product teams.
• Carry out the testing of digital products, providing feedback and advice regarding technical feasibility evaluation, form, function and safety of digital products that require pet interaction.
• Carry out testing methodologies insuring a high standard of scientific integrity.
• Required activities include, but are not limited to:
• Data collection/processing and record keeping for the projects assigned
• Adherence to terms of confidentiality agreements with external research partners and
Company policy on protection of patent rights and intellectual property
• Strong collaboration with both internal and external research partners
• Knowledge of, and compliance with, the Animal Welfare Act and all procedures and protocols in the Nestlé Purina PTC PetCare Manual.
• Conduct all activity in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary work environment.
• Practice safety in the work area.
• Excellent communication, analytical, facilitation and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• The ability to communicate to others through insightful visualizations, reports and presentations
• Quantitative reasoning and practical thinking
• Ability to write and maintain technical and non-technical instructions in the use of programs/reports and/or program/report/ modifications, in addition to presenting results as needed
• Strong organizational, communication and project management skills
• Must be a highly-motivated, independent and able to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.

***THIS IS AN 18-MONTH CONTINGENT POSITION***

Position is located in St. Joseph, MO. Local AND Remote Candidates will be considered.