Opportunities

We are looking for MA and PhD Students!

We are looking for motivated students to apply to the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology Department for our PhD and MA programs. If you are interested in joining the lab, please e-mail Maria Diuk-Wasser with your CV and a short statement on: a) your background and research interests; and b) how these interests align with the work of the lab (i.e., what aspect of vector-borne disease eco-epidemiology you would like to work on).

Seeking Tick Research Field Assistants for Summer 2026! APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has multiple paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2026 summer field season. This work will contribute to our long term project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island, and creating a tick urban surveillance system (TUSS) intended to inform public health programs.

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting tick collection and identification, general field-research techniques, and science engagement with the public.

What you will do (one or more of):

• Conduct field collections of ticks in a variety of NYC and Long Island greenspaces
• Conduct data collection
• Manage field notes and datasheets
• Prep field materials (i.e. fill tubes, organize equipment)
• Work as a part of a field crew of 3-4 people
• Engage with the park-going public and answer questions about our work

What you will bring:

• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• The ability to work outside in various conditions
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island
• Previous field experience is preferred but not required
• NYS residents strongly preferred

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2026 (May to August). Daily hours may be irregular (due to long travel distances and traffic conditions) and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may also be required.

This will be a fieldwork-intensive position. Applicants should be capable of working outdoors in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.).

Compensation: $23/hour.

To apply, please complete this questionnaire.

Seeking MPH students for Applied Practice Experiences (APEs) in Vector-borne Disease (2025)

Primary responsibilities (one or more of):

• Assist with facilitation of focus groups and needs assessments.
• Assist in synthesis and development of Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions surveys.
• Conduct online and in-person recruitment and surveys of multiple stakeholders.
• Manage public outreach activities (online and in-person), including preparing and distributing announcements and reports, attending public events, and updating social media.
• Assist in ecological studies of tick-borne disease control including tick sampling, managing camera traps, conducting tick and vertebrate image identification.
  This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2025 (May to September).

Please attach the following in a single PDF document with your last name in the subject:

(1) Cover letter outlining relevant experience
(2) Resume/CV

Please provide the full name and position of each of your three references. Please include their phone number and email address in the "Contact Information" section.

Apply here: APPLICACTIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2025. Be sure to check back in 2026!

Application review is on a rolling basis.

Seeking Small Mammal Research Field Assistants for Summer 2026! APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has multiple paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2026 summer field season. This work will contribute to our long term project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island, and inform public health programs.

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting sampling of mice and other small mammals (including trapping, processing, and tissue & blood collection), general field-research techniques, and science engagement with the public.

What you will do (one or more of):

• Conduct small mammal and medium mammal trapping and sampling (previous field and mammal handling experience is required)
• Conduct field collections of ticks
• Conduct ecological assessments of larger public spaces such as parks and preserves
• Coordinate data collection and management with a field crew of 3-4 people
• Manage field notes and datasheets
• Prep field materials (i.e. fill tubes, organize equipment)

What you will bring:

• Previous field experience and mammal handling experience is required
• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• The ability to work outside in various conditions
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island is required
• Access to a personal vehicle is desirable (but not required)
• Veterinary (technician) or similar experience is highly desirable
• NYS residents strongly preferred

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2026 (May to August). Daily hours may be irregular (due to long travel distances and traffic conditions) and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may also be required. 

This will be a fieldwork-intensive position. Applicants should be capable of working outdoors in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.)

Compensation: $23/hour.

To apply, please complete this questionnaire. 

Seeking Avian Research Field Assistants for Summer 2026! APPLICATIONS CLOSED

The Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University has multiple paid positions for highly motivated Research Interns to assist with field research and outreach activities for the 2026 summer field season. This work will contribute to our long term project studying the eco-epidemiology of vector-borne diseases throughout New York City and Long Island, and inform public health programs.

Through this work, the successful candidate will gain experience working in the field conducting avian sampling (including mist-netting, IDing, banding, processing, and blood collection), general field research techniques, and science engagement with the public.

What you will do (one or more of):

• Participate in avian point counts
• Conduct avian banding surveys using mist nets
• Collect and process avian biological samples
• Collect and process bird-attached ticks
• Conduct field collections of ticks
• Conduct ecological assessments of larger public spaces such as parks and preserves
• Coordinate data collection and management with a field crew of 3-4 people

Required qualifications:

• Previous experience handling, extracting birds from mist nets, and banding birds is required
• Available early mornings and weekends, flexible schedule (due to the unpredictable nature of fieldwork)
• The ability to work outside in various weather conditions
• The ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive to field sites within NYC and on Long Island is required

Preferred qualifications:

• Local (NYC) bird identification experience highly preferred
• Previous experience processing and collecting avian blood samples highly preferred
• A passion for ecology, epidemiology, and/or the natural sciences
• A positive attitude and ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• Access to a personal vehicle is desirable (but not required)
• NYS residents strongly preferred

This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position for Summer 2026 (May to August). Daily hours may be irregular (due to long travel distances and traffic conditions) and may include weekend work, but weeks will not exceed 35 hours per week. Overnight stays near field sites on Long Island may also be required. 

This will be a fieldwork-intensive position. Applicants should be capable of working outdoors in challenging environmental conditions (e.g. rain, heat, overgrowth, steep slopes, fog, vector-infested habitat, etc.)

Compensation: $23/hour

To apply, please complete this questionnaire. 

International Opportunities:

University of Sussex, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, is seeking a full time Research Fellow in Mathematics to work on a project modelling the ecology of tick-borne pathogens along an urbanization gradient in collaboration with the Eco-Epidemiology Lab at Columbia University. 

In this role, you will develop mathematical models to evaluate the roles of multiple mechanisms in structuring ecological metacommunities composed of ticks, their hosts and associated pathogens. Working closely with project partners, you will integrate process-based metapopulation models into network models to identify key environmental and social determinants of the risk of human infection, and suggest critical points for management actions.

The role includes research collaboration with the University of Bath (UK) and a US team coordinated by researchers at Columbia University. While this post has the fixed duration of 24 months, there will be an opportunity to apply for a continuation of this position to be based at the University of Bath (UK) for an additional 24 months of the project.

About you

We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in mathematical biology, ecological and/or epidemiological modelling, or applied dynamical systems.

Prospective candidates should hold a PhD in Mathematics or be in the final stages of writing up their PhD thesis and have submitted by the start date of the position. Equivalent research experience will also be considered.  You should have familiarity with handling large and complex datasets, and be skilled in programming languages such as Python, Matlab or R.

The ideal candidate will be capable of independent research as well as effective teamwork, with excellent communication skills for interdisciplinary engagement with colleagues and external collaborators. A strong interest in interdisciplinary research and applying mathematical techniques to ecological data and environmental challenges is highly desirable.

Further Key Information

Apply here

Please contact Prof Konstantin Blyuss ([email protected]) for informal enquiries.

Candidates should include in their application the following:

• Academic CV
• A personal statement (500 words maximum) outlining their research interests and their research experience to date
• Official academic transcripts
• Contact details for two suitable referees
• Application form

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

Eligibility

This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time and appointed at Grade 7.4. 

Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.  

This role may also be eligible for the Global Talent visa route, depending on the individual circumstances of the successful candidate.

Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.