CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
CAREERS
PacVec shares career, internship, and fellowship opportunities provided by our partners and affiliations. Explore the current opportunities here:
STUDENT AND POSTDOCTORAL
Over 350 million people are at risk from diseases transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, including Leishmania parasites. This PhD project investigates the ecology of sand fly oviposition behavior, specifically, how microbial and chemical cues from burrows influence site selection. Findings will inform the development of attractant-based tools for surveillance and control. The student will be based in Dr. Gideon Wasserberg’s lab at UNC-G and collaborate with Drs. Coby Schal and Loganathan Ponnusamy (NCSU) on chemical and microbial ecology aspects. Qualifications include: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, entomology, ecology, or related field; strong interest in insect behavior, disease ecology, or vector biology; previous research experience is preferred; experience with insect rearing or behavioral assays is a plus, but not required.
Location: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC
Funding: Fully funded (4 years)
Apply by: Open until filled
The post-doc will be responsible for conducting and developing oviposition site-selection bioassays in the lab and in the field. The study will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Gideon Wasserberg at UNC-Greensboro in collaborations with Drs. Coby Schal and Loganathan Ponnusamy from North Carolina State University in aspects pertaining to chemical ecology and microbial ecology, respectively. They are looking for a highly motivated post-doc with broad skills in behavioral entomology (preferentially in the field of medical entomology) or related fields. Experience in conducting behavioral choice bioassays using olfactometer and/or wind tunnels, and field testing are highly desirable. Experience lab rearing of hematophagic insects is also highly desirable, but not required.
Location: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC
Salary: Commensurate with training and experience
Term: 3 yrs, with possibility of extension
Apply by: Open until filled
SUMMER AND SEASONAL
The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District is seeking applications to fill these seasonal positions:
Location: Concord, CA
Apply by: Open until filled
The Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District accept applications for seasonal employment throughout the year. Generally, the summer employment season is from March through October (depending on weather). The general job application can be found here. Applications may be faxed (559-268-8918), mailed, delivered in-person or emailed to office@fresnomosquito.org.
Location: Fresno, CA
VECTOR CONTROL / PUBLIC HEALTH
The Mosquito & Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County is seeking individuals with management, supervisory, and mosquito and vector biology/control experience to apply for its vacant Operations Manager Biologist position. Under general direction and supervision by the General Manager, the Operations Manager Biologist plans, organizes and directs vector control programs; performs a variety of professional biologist duties; provides for the safe and efficient use of vehicles, facilities and equipment and performs related work as required. These duties include: work with the General Manager to direct District-wide vector control programs, develop policy relating to overall operations, collect and analyze data, identify vectors, support field staff, provide administrative support, and any other District work as directed by management.
Location: Summerland, CA
Salary: $94,080 – $115,706 per year
Apply by: Open until filled
ACADEMIC
Academic opportunities are organized by the most recent to the oldest job postings.
This is a 12-month 100% (1.0 FTE) administration position. The Director is responsible for the management and coordination of all research, extension and academic programs at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL), located in Vero Beach, Florida. The Director provides leadership and assistance to the faculty and staff at the center in developing and implementing research, extension, and academic programs and seeks Federal, State, and/or private funds to supplement the budget provided by the Florida Legislature. Other administrative responsibilities include the preparation of budgets, allocation of operating funds to all sections of the Center, evaluation of all FMEL faculty members in conjunction with department chairs, the initiation of tenure and promotion for FMEL faculty members in consultation with appropriate department chairs, and supervision of staff including farm operations, automotive services, custodial/janitorial/maintenance services, and the center’s media specialist. The Director is responsible for communicating all facility needs and maintenance requirements to the appropriate staff and administrators. Close interaction with industry representatives and governmental agencies is expected. The Director strengthens and maintains strong ties and goodwill with stakeholders and support organizations, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, local and statewide governmental agencies, members of urban and rural clientele groups, and the public. For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by 15 February 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
Location: Vero Beach, FL
For Full Consideration: 2/15/2026
FELLOWSHIPS / FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is requesting research proposals to improve our Integrated Vector Management Program. Our main foci are mosquitoes, red imported fire ants, and flies in the Coachella Valley. We are also very interested in projects on brown dog ticks; using drones; and understanding mosquito behavior to improve sterile mosquito release programs. The District is in a unique environment with very high temperatures and low precipitation, so projects designed for the Coachella Valley or making use of our information are more likely to be successful. Past research projects have included spatial mosquito repellents, virus transmission models, biological control of fire ants, and activity of house flies.
The general timeline for proposal submission review is as follows:
- Proposals due by September 1, 2026
- Proposals will be reviewed in September by District ad hoc Research Committee
- Recommendations for funding District ad hoc Research Committee will be made at either the October or November Board Meeting
- Researchers notified of Board decision by Nov 16th
- Funding for selected research will be distributed in Jan 2027
- Semiannual Report will be due in June 2027
Please see their website for guidelines on proposal submission, interests of the District, and a budget worksheet (you can obtain these at https://www.cvmosquito.org/bids-rfqs-rfps under Research Program FY 2026-2027).
ADDITIONAL CAREER WEBSITES
- Rockies and High Plains Vector-Borne Disease Center (RaHPVEC)
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD)
- Tropical Islands Vector-borne Disease Training and Evaluation Center
- VectorEd (Mid-Atlantic and Ohio River Valley)
- Gulf South Vector-borne Disease Training and Evaluation Center
- Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC)
- The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)
- American Public Health Association
- Entomological Society of America (ESA)
- Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE)
- Utah Mosquito Abatement Association (UMAA)
- West Central Mosquito and Vector Control Association (WCMVCA)
- Alameda County MAD
- Contra Costa MVCD
- Marin/Sonoma MVCD
- San Mateo County MVCD
- Santa Clara County MVCD
- Butte County MVCD
- Placer MVCD
- Sacramento-Yolo MVCD
- Shasta MVCD
- Sutter-Yuba MVCD
- Tehama County MVCD
- East Side MAD
- Merced County MAD
- San Joaquin County MVCD
- Turlock MAD
- Consolidated MAD
- Delta MVCD
- Fresno MVCD
- Kern MVCD
- Antelope Valley MVCD
- Coachella Valley MVCD
- Greater Los Angeles County VCD
- Northwest MVCD
- Orange County MVCD
- San Bernardino County MVCD
- San Gabriel Valley MVCD
- West Valley MVCD
- Salt Lake City MAD
ADVERTISEMENTS
Need help advertising positions for students? Contact us!
Please contact us if your agency has seasonal positions that may be of interest to undergraduate students in the Pacific Southwest region! Such positions are important formative experiences for students, and they are excellent opportunities to raise awareness of career opportunities in vector-borne diseases. PacVec will help advertise by sharing simple job postings with our undergraduate students through our website, weekly newsletters, and job announcements. We can also help you partner with faculty for project-based internships that involve academic credit with a faculty mentor and possible continued data analysis during the school year. To maximize your audience and reach the best candidates for your positions, please send us these position announcements as early as possible, ideally in January or February, before students have settled their summer plans.
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The Pacific Southwest Regional Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases is supported through Cooperative Agreement Number 1U01CK000649 between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of California, Davis.
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