2022 Entomology Internship:
Purpose of Position/Summary:
This paid position will assist the Indiana Department of Health arboviral surveillance program in monitoring vector-borne disease occurence in arthropods in the State of Indiana. Intern duties will include collecting mosquitoes for virus identification using gravid, light, and resting traps designed for disease vector collection. The locations for these collections will be determined in consultation with the IDOH Entomology Director and regional Medical Entomologists. Successful applicants will also be trained on tick collection techniques and contribute to IDOH tick surveillance efforts. Each intern will receive training in mosquito identification and other tasks needed for their work during a training session at the IDOH Entomology Laboratory in Indianapolis.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Collection of mosquitoes using various traps for arbovirus surveillance.
- Collection of ticks using the drag sampling technique.
- Identification of specimens to species level using morphological characteristics.
Job Requirements:
- Students should be enrolled in any college or university.
- Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are welcome to apply.
- Must agree to work for at least a 10-week period of the project between May 23, 2022 and August 1, 2022.
- Must have a valid Driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle, and be willing to drive the vehicle on state business. Travel will be reimbursed at $0.41 per mile.
- Interns will be paid $13.21 per hour.
- Ability to perform basic laboratory skills such as identification of specimens using a microscope.
- Ability to work independently.
Difficulty of Work:
- This job operates in all outdoor conditions.
- This job requires extensive walking through all environments while carrying surveillance equipment.
Responsibility:
- Conducts tick drag sampling in assigned locations.
- Identifies and prepares tick samples for pathogen testing.
- Collects mosquitoes in assigned locations using various mosquito traps.
- Identifies mosquitoes to species level and pools specimens for pathogen testing
Personal work Relationships:
Interns will be supervised by the Senior Medical Entomologist and will work closely with the Regional Medical Entomologists. Interns may occasionally liaise with personnel at local health departments.
Physical Effort:
- Walking long distances while carrying surveillance equipment.
- Ability to carry 25 pounds.
- Ability to navigate through wooded environments.
Working Conditions:
Interns may be exposed to heat, inclement weather, biting arthopods, and other conditions associated with outdoor summer field work.
Applications:
Interested students should submit: 1) a cover letter that includes a statement of interest, a description of any previous background and experience in entomology, disease ecology, or epidemiology, and the Indiana county of summer residence; 2) a resume; and 3) one letter of reference from a faculty member to:
Lee Green
Senior Medical Entomologist
Indiana Department of Health
317-517-5843
