Work as part of a research team under the direction of the insectary manager studying the population genomics of mosquito vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsibilities include maintenance and safety and security of laboratory insectaries, including rearing mosquito strains, ordering insectary supplies, maintaining insectary equipment, and troubleshooting insect rearing protocols. The insectary assistant will travel annually to field sites in São Tomé & Príncipe or Equatorial Guinea (west Africa) and, possibly, other sites in Africa for up to 6 weeks at a time to assist with Anopheles mosquito collections, sample processing, and field laboratory setup. 
 
 45% INSECTARY MAINTENANCE

• Assist in maintaining larval, pupal and adult stages of mosquito colonies via regular cleaning, mating and feeding including blood feeding using a Hemotek Membrane Feeding System under the supervision and direction of the insectary manager. Occasional weekend and holiday hours will be required.
• Assist in rearing multiple strains of Anopheles mosquitoes. Troubleshoot rearing protocols with the help of the insectary manager for new strains or species or when rearing outputs are too low.
• Execute insectary-based experiments that contribute to overarching projects and goals under the direction of the insectary manager.
• Follow insectary use protocols for each space that are specific to the use of that space based on the species being reared and the experiments to be performed on them to prevent biological contamination within and between all insectary spaces. 
• Follow safety protocols and USDA/APHIS regulations to prevent non-native arthropods from entering local ecosystem. Follow USDA/APHIS, CDC, and CDHP permit regulations on the import and transfer of all arthropod specimens.
• Follow ACL2+ (Arthropod Containment Laboratory 2+) for handling and maintaining genetically engineered mosquitoes with gene drive.
• Perform insectary inspections under the guidance of the insectary manager as required by regulating agencies.
• Collaborate with postdocs and project scientists to assist with experiments involving live mosquitoes.
• Maintain equipment in insectaries (chambers, incubators, blood feeders, etc.) and ensure annual preventative maintenance is performed as needed.
 
 30% APPLIED RESEARCH

• DNA extraction using an automated extraction instrument
• Assess DNA samples for quantity and quality using an Agilent Technologies TapeStation and genotyping using a MassArray instrument and the associated software to score individual genotypes; proof-reading chromatographs and entering data into a web-based database.
• Preparation of libraries for whole genome sequencing, conducting quality control assays on these libraries and preparation of libraries for sequencing by the DNA core facility.
• Enter and maintain data in online project database (PopI).
• Communicate results and relevant updates in weekly lab meetings.
 
15% FIELD WORK

"• Yearly travel for at least 6 weeks to field collection sites in remote areas of Africa, primarily the nations of Sao Tome and Principe and Equatorial Guinea, to assist with Anopheles mosquito collections, processing, extraction, and laboratory setup. 
• Assist in the preparation and packing of supplies and equipment for transport to field sites in Africa.
• Assist with work in insectaries at the National Malaria Control Programs in Sao Tome & Principe and in Equatorial Guinea.
• Assist with field collection of mosquitoes and non-target species.
• Assist in training of African personnel for insectary and field work." 
 
10% LABORATORY MAINTENENCE AND TRAINING

• Assisting in the training of undergraduates participating in the undergraduate research scholar program.
• Assist with ordering supplies, maintaining laboratory inventory and equipment, organization of travel supplies, lab benches, and work space, etc. 
• Assist in writing reports/publications including formatting of articles and use of reference manager computer program.

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

Experience rearing mosquitoes or other arthropod species in an ACL 2/BSL 2 insectary.
Experience conducting field work on mosquitoes or other aquatic invertebrates.
Experience performing standard molecular techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, and ELISA.
Skills to visually identify various mosquito species and collect mosquitoes and larvae using CDC traps and aspirators.
Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills to work with others in a collegial team environment.
Basic computing skills with knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

Background in ecology, entomology, and/or conservation biology. 
BS in biological sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
Experience using controlled environment chambers such as Darwin Chambers and/or artificial feeding systems such as the Hemotek membrane feeding system. 
Experience working with the genetics of or rearing Anopheles gambiae. 
Skills to successfully extract reproductive and digestive organs from male and female mosquitoes.

About Vector Genetics Lab at UC Davis

The Vector Genetics Lab research program focuses on the population genomics of mosquito vectors of human and animal diseases, especially malaria, and in the implementation of novel genetic-based strategies that may contribute to their elimination. Activities focus on several mosquito species, these include Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii, the principal vectors of human malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and Aedes aegypti, which is the vector of dengue and Zika viruses and is an invasive mosquito species recently established in the state of California.

Connections working at Vector Genetics Lab at UC Davis