Research Assistant
Scientist: Applied
mosquito research

Location:
University of Florida 
Florida Medical
Entomology Laboratory,
Vero Beach, Florida

Salary: Commensurate
with Qualifications and
Experience

Review date: For full
consideration, candidates
should apply and submit
additional materials by
January 30, 2020. 
The position will remain
open until a viable applicant
pool is determined.

Description

Description: This is a 12-month non-tenure-accruing position that will be 100 % research, available at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  Duties focus on the biology and control of mosquitoes and the pathogens they transmit with emphasis on applied research topics that affect Florida mosquito control and public health.  The faculty member will seek external funding to support their program and will integrate research with that of other FMEL faculty. Duties also include providing quarterly and annual reports as needed, reporting of results to clientele in Florida mosquito control, and annually producing peer reviewed publications resulting from studies at the FMEL.  The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area. 

Required qualifications: A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a relevant biological science or a closely related discipline is required.  Candidates must have demonstrated relevant experience including the ability to use tools in other disciplines (e.g., molecular biology, ecology, toxicology, biochemistry, zoology, entomology) to design, analyze, and interpret research on mosquito and vector biology and epidemiology that will advance control research.  Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding.  Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.  Candidates must also have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability. 

Preferred qualifications: Special consideration will be given to candidates with previous experience with research dealing with mosquito/vector/arbovirus control.

To apply, go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/72423 and submit:

• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the listed credentials
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Research interests statement
• Unofficial transcripts

For more information, please visit: https://apply.interfolio.com/72423 or contact Dr. Lawrence Reeves, Chair, Search and Screen Committee (lereeves@ufl.edu).

Postdoctoral
position (2-year): Microbiomes of Invasive Fruit Flies (crop pests)

Location:
University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, Florida

Salary: $47,500 plus fringe benefits and 3% annual increase.

Start date: First week of October, but an earlier start date (up to early September) is possible.

Duration: 2 years (with possibility of extension for another year).

Description:
A postdoctoral position is available from Adam CN Wong’s lab at University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department in Gainesville, Florida. We are interested in applying meta-transcriptomics and microbial genome sequencing to study the nutritional roles of gut-associated microbes in two major invasive fruit fly pests on different crops and nutrient environments. Specifically, we are studying the spotted winged drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii and the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic team with 4 graduate and 10 undergraduate students. S/he will actively engage with our collaborators from the USDA and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel..

Minimum qualifications:
PhD in Molecular Biology, Genomics, Microbiology, Entomology, Ecology or relevant field.

Preferred qualifications:
Candidates with demonstrated experience of RNAseq, microbial genome sequencing, microbiome analyses, and/or bacterial genetics are highly desired.

To apply, please submit a CV and a 1-page cover letter in pdf files to Dr Adam Wong (adamcnwong@ufl.edu) with the subject line “Postdoc application: fruit fly microbiomes”. Please include names and contact information of at least two references familiar with your work. The position will remain open until filled.

For more info, please visit:

https://microbiota.wixsite.com/adam-wong

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_eMzgj8AAAAJ&hl=en

Biological Scientist Position
(1-year): Host-microbe interactions

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, microbiology or a closely related field, with 1+ year of research experience.

Preferred qualifications: Master’s or Doctoral degree holders are welcome to apply. Demonstrated competency on molecular biology and/or microbiology techniques is desirable.

Salary: $12-18/hour, commensurate with education level and experience.

Start date: Available immediately.

Duration: 1 years (with possibility of extension based on funding and performance).

A biological scientist OPS position is available from Adam CN Wong’s lab at University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department in Gainesville, Florida. The position aims to study the interactions between a human pathogen (Vibrio Cholerae) and an insect (chironomids, also known as nonbiting midges) in an aquatic setting using microcosms in the lab.

The successful candidate will provide assistance in preparing and maintaining the chironomid colony, generating axenic (germ-free) and gnotobiotic chironomid larvae, quantifying bacteria by culture-dependent methods, and conducting basic molecular techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis). The candidate will work with a team of a graduate student and several undergraduate interns. S/he will also actively engage with our collaborators from the UF Emerging Pathogen Institute (EPI) and USDA. Training will be provided.

To apply, please submit a CV and a 1-page cover letter in pdf files to Dr Adam Wong (adamcnwong@ufl.edu) with the subject line “Biological Scientist position: Host-microbe interactions”. Please include names and contact information of two references. The position will remain open until filled.

For more info, please visit:
https://microbiota.wixsite.com/adam-wong
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_eMzgj8AAAAJ&hl=en​