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 San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District is seeking applications to fill the position. This is a seasonal position that runs from April 27, 2026 through mid-October 2026. Under general supervision of the District Entomologist, Source Reduction Specialist and/or Mosquito Control Supervisor, candidate will facilitate and support in the surveillance, inspection, and control of mosquitoes and other vectors; perform supportive work such as lab and facilities maintenance, record keeping, and other related work.Successful candidates will be required to perform in a variety of environments, such as carrying loads more than 50 pounds over rough terrain; frequently walking; and performing outdoor mosquito control operations in above average heat temperatures. Tasks may include the application of larvicide and adulticide, as well as interaction with the public at their residential locations while conducting premise inspections.
Location: Stockton, CA
Salary: $22.87 – $25.00 per hour
Apply by: Open until filled
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 USDA Agricultural Research Service is recruiting for two research entomologist positions. These two positions will work on New World screwworm as well as working on biting fly and tick research in support of their Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit of the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory.
Location: Kerrville, TX
Salary: $89,508 – $192,331 per year
Apply by: 6/10/2026
The Beach Mosquito Control District is seeking applications to fill this position. This is professional biological, microbiological, and entomological work in the field and laboratory, involving the application of various mosquito control techniques. Work is performed under the general supervision of the mosquito control director. Employees in this class utilize techniques of integrated pest management, including biological, chemical, cultural, and mechanical control. Work is partly outdoors, performed under limited supervision and independent judgment is required. Assignments are made orally or in writing.
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Salary: $21.69 per hour, salary to commensurate with experience
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for an Epidmeiologist II – Epidemiology and Surveillance Team (EST) to provide support for their government customer in Fort Collins, CO. A Bachelors of Science in Biology, Chemistry, Math, Public Health, Epidemiology, Data Analytics, or related field.
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for an Epidmeiologist II – Entomology and Ecology Team (EET) to provide support for their government customer in Fort Collins, CO. A Bachelors of Science in Biology, Chemistry, Math, Public Health, Epidemiology, Data Analytics, or related field.
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for a Laboratory Technician I – Entomology and Ecology Team (EET) to provide support for their government customer in Fort Collins, CO. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public health, microbiological, biochemical, biomedical or similar science.
Location: Fort Collins, CO
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for a Laboratory Technician II – Diagnostic Reference Team (DRT) to provide support for their government customer in Fort Collins, CO. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public health, microbiological, biochemical, biomedical or similar science.
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Openings: 1
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for a Laboratory Technician II – Microbiology and Pathogenesis Team (MPT) to provide support for their government customer in Fort Collins, CO. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public health, microbiological, biochemical, biomedical or similar science.
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Openings: 2
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. This funding opportunity is aimed at improving our Integrated Vector Management Program targeting mosquitoes, red imported fire ants, and flies in the Coachella Valley. Past research projects have included spatial mosquito repellents, virus transmission models, vegetation management in wetlands, biological control of fire ants, and activity of house flies. Because of the unique environment including very high temperatures and low precipitation, projects designed to work with the environmental conditions for surveillance of vectors and vector-borne diseases and projects that tailor control methods to the habitat here are of great interest. Please see our website for guidelines on proposal submission, interests of the District, and a budget worksheet (you can obtain these at here under Research Program FY 2025-2026). 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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