UMR ASTRE (Animal, Health, Territory, Risks and Ecosystems) is a joint CIRAD/INRAE research unit whose aim is to improve animal health and veterinary public health by tracking and controlling animal and zoonotic diseases and their vectors. The UMR is looking for an entomologist specialising in vector surveillance and control. Initially, you will be based in Guadeloupe, as part of the ASTRE Guadeloupe team at the Caribbean Vector-Borne Diseases Research Centre (CRVC), on the INRAE campus at Duclos, Petit Bourg. You will interact with the other members of the unit in an inter-disciplinary environment, in Montpellier, the Indian Ocean, Africa and South-East Asia.

Your main task will be to develop original research topics on mosquitoes of zoonotic and veterinary interest in tropical island regions, particularly in the Caribbean, in order to optimise entomological and epidemiological surveillance and vector control strategies. Your work will focus on two study models: Culex mosquitoes, vectors of the West Nile virus, and Aedes mosquitoes, vectors of dengue fever.

Research objectives:

1.  Conduct a vector risk assessment

o Characterise the spatio-temporal distribution of vectors of interest in the area.

o Improve and optimise trapping systems and participate in the early detection of pathogens using innovative techniques.

o Develop surveillance tools to detect early introduction of vectors.

o Define surveillance strategies suitable for the tropical island context.

o Evaluate the effectiveness of surveillance strategies.

2.  Optimise control strategies in a context of multidrug resistance and global change.

o Characterise insecticide resistance in the Caribbean.

o Assess the effect of this resistance on arbovirus transmission.

o Develop innovative vector control methods, including the sterile insect technique (SIT).

o Evaluate the effectiveness and uptake of vector control strategies.

As part of the CaribVET DP partnership scheme, you will be active in the diagnosis and control of invasive vector species and emerging vector-borne diseases, and will help to build regional capacity for mosquito surveillance and control.

You will be involved in educational activities (Master’s and PhD level). You will contribute to the design and implementation of vector-borne disease-related projects and work with the unit’s various DP partners on vector-borne disease monitoring and control.

Following a 1-month induction period at our Montpellier site, you will be posted to Petit Bourg, Prise d’Eau, Domaine Duclos, Guadeloupe

•  You have a PhD in entomology applied to diptera vectors of vector-borne diseases (mosquitoes, Culicoides, biting midges).

•  You have at least 3 years’ post-doctoral experience with expertise in entomological surveillance systems and integrated vector control methods, and a keen interest in designing and implementing innovative methods.

•  Experience in the design and management of surveillance and vector control strategies on a national and regional scale is desirable.

•  Experience in setting up and coordinating projects, experience of the Global South, and experience in designing and piloting surveillance and vector control strategies, are all desirable.

•  Knowledge of and interest in working in the Global South and in a collaborative context in tropical zones.

•  Good command of French and English (written and spoken)

Please include in your CV the names of referees we can contact regarding previously held positions.