INHS Medical Entomology Lab hiring for TWO salaried staff positions!

We are hiring for two positions at the INHS-MEL located at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. These are jobs with long-term employment potential working with outstanding colleagues in a great environment.

Champaign-Urbana is a lively and growing area with excellent recreational and cultural opportunities and a low-cost of living. The University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana has a diverse and engaging research and teaching community. The 2021-22 U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges rankings rated Illinois as the number 15 public university and the number 47 national university.

Click here to learn more about the unique Illinois Natural History Survey and diverse flora and fauna of our state.

(For the seasonal hourly positions job ad, see our last News post.)

1. Scientific Specialist: primarily working in the lab on mosquito colony maintenance, behavioral and manipulative experiments with mosquitoes and ticks, and molecular testing of vectors; ($44K+ w/benefits; minimum qual: BSc)

Application deadline April 11, 2022

https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board/job-details?jobID=161583

2. Sr. Scientific Specialist: planning and conducting mosquito and tick surveillance, conducting research on improved vector surveillance/control methods and bite prevention, and assisting with lab diagnostics; (salary commensurate; minimum qual: BSc)

Application deadline April 11, 2022

https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board/job-details?jobID=161585

For questions or inquiries, please contact the INHS-MEL Lab Director, Dr. Chris Stone.

Asian tiger mosquito gains ground in Illinois

Researchers Chris Stone, left, and Rebecca Smith have been studying the impact of the invasion of Aedes albopictu mosquitoes. Hanging on the tree is a mosquito collection station. NEWS BUREAU PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/FRED ZWICKY

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Researchers report that the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has become more abundant across Illinois in the past three decades. Its spread is problematic, as the mosquito can transmit diseases – like chikungunya or dengue fever – to humans.

The Asian tiger mosquito originated in the forests of southeast Asia. It found its way to Texas around 1985 and very quickly spread to Illinois.

Read the complete story here.

Disease-carrying coastal tick established in Illinois

Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf coast tick)female (left) and male (right)
Photo credit: Emily Struckhoff, INHS Medical Entomology Lab

The Gulf Coast tick is usually found in the Southeast along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, but researchers at the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) and Southern Illinois University (SIU) have new evidence of the Gulf Coast tick becoming established in Illinois. They also have found that it often harbors a pathogen that can make people sick. 

Read the full story here.

Medical Entomology Lab
1816 S. Oak Street
MC-652
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: cstone@illinois.edu