Assistant Research Scientist, Mosquito Biology
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources. INHS is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjob.
Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?
Highlights of Employee Benefits
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
INHS is seeking an Assistant Research Scientist in Mosquito Biology who will develop, plan, direct, and conduct basic and applied research on mosquitoes and arboviruses, to investigate the ecology of vector-borne disease transmission in Illinois and contribute to the development of novel vector control and surveillance methods. This position will be based in Champaign, Illinois.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Design, conduct and lead laboratory experiments to address questions related to vector competence of native and (potentially) invasive species in Illinois and mosquito-virus interactions.
- Conduct research on novel vector-borne pathogen detection and surveillance approaches.
- Contribute to field studies and assessments of arbovirus strain diversity and mosquito population genetics using next generation sequencing approaches.
- Design and perform studies on vector-host interactions, e.g., using blood meal analysis or behavioral assays.
- Manage data sets according to best practices, perform statistical and bioinformatics analyses, and summarize the results of research for use in publications, grant proposals, and reports.
- Supervise, mentor, and lead undergraduate students, graduate students, and hourly workers to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback and travel approval.
- Train students and researchers in laboratory methods, including cell culture and virus assays, DNA and RNA extraction and quantification, PCR, and RT-qPCR.
- Ensure the safety of staff and equipment.
- Identify relevant research needs and project opportunities.
- Conduct, develop, and participate in research and service activities. Prepare internal reports and reports to sponsoring agencies. Publish the results of original research in peer-reviewed professional journals.
- Present research results at scientific meetings and at meetings with sponsoring agencies, and provide service to scientific societies, journals, and/or to the scientific community.
- Provide prompt, informative, authoritative, and current data, and information on the results of research projects for the public, other scientists, industry, and/or governmental agencies, and have the ability to communicate research results through writing, public speaking, and hosting meetings.
- Contribute in the areas of education and outreach to the Survey, PRI, the University of Illinois, and the State of Illinois.
- Enhance the reputation of the survey and PRI at the state, national, and international levels.
- Collaborate with Survey scientists, University of Illinois faculty, and external colleagues to provide integrated interpretations and applications to existing and new research programs.
- Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.
- Perform other duties as needed in order to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
Required Qualifications:
PhD with a focus on medical entomology, disease ecology, virology, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth as it relates to this position. A minimum of 5 years of experience in vector ecology, particularly in designing and conducting lab investigations on vector-parasite interactions. Experience with supervision and mentoring of lab technicians and/or undergraduate students. Experience establishing and maintaining colonies of vectors. Experience working with arboviruses in a BSL2 laboratory, including plaque or focus forming assays, mosquito infection studies. Experience with molecular biology of vectors, such as studies on gene expression. Proven publication record. Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
Post-doctoral experience in vector biology or a related field such as disease ecology or virology. Experience determining the origin of bloodmeals in vectors using molecular methods. Experience with bioinformatics. Experience with meta-analysis. Experience collaborating with and/or working for governmental agencies. Previous service positions in professional societies.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Familiar with statistical analysis methods, including survival analysis. Detail-oriented, demonstrated skills in writing, and supervising students or hourly employees. Demonstrated track record for publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including as first author. Well-versed in statistical analysis methods and conducting literature reviews. Possess appropriate field and laboratory skills, as well as physical skills necessary to carry out work. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Proficiency in commonly employed software.
Environmental Demands:
May require working in adverse field conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, biting insects) and travel (including driving to and from research sites) throughout the state of Illinois working irregular hours and overnights? lift and carry equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. Fieldwork will occur in both rural and urban settings, some of which may be under adverse conditions (e.g., inclement weather, remoteness, and moderate physical exertion). Overnight travel may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.
Proposed Start Date: Negotiable
Salary: The starting salary for this position is $53,000
Appointment Status: This is a regular full-time 12-month academic professional appointment, renewable annually based upon satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding. Eligible for full University benefits package as well as generous vacation and sick leave packages.
To Apply: Applications must be received by July 5, 2022. Applicants may be interviewed and hiring decisions may be made prior to the closing date. Please visit http://jobs.illinois.edu/ to complete an online profile and to upload 1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a résumé/CV, and 3) the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three professional references. All requested information/documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For further information, please contact Amber Hall, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute at amberh@illinois.edu or 217-300-4080.
For technical inquiries regarding this position, please contact Dr. Christopher Stone at cstone@illinois.edu
University of Illinois faculty, staff, and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.
University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
