Field of studyBehavioral Ecology, Entomology (or related)
Study levelDoctorate
Original posting
We are seeking a contract Senior Entomologist to serve as the scientific lead for Colossal Biosciences’ New World Screwworm (NWS; Cochliomyia hominivorax) Biobanking Program, a multi-phase effort to establish a secure, traceable genetic baseline for NWS populations across North and Central America before, during, and after gene drive deployment. This role will design and execute the standardized fitness-validation battery for fresh and cryopreserved (thawed) screwworm cohorts, lead the field collection strategy across active outbreak regions, and oversee live-colony rearing in partnership with COPEG and USDA-APHIS. The Senior Entomologist will act as the central point of scientific accountability for the program — from protocol design and field deployment through data analysis, interpretation, and reporting to federal and partner stakeholders.
This is a 6 month contract position that includes collections trips. You do not need to be based on-site in Dallas but do need to be available for travel.
Key Responsibilities:
Serve as scientific lead for the NWS Biobanking Program, owning experimental design, protocol standardization, and interpretation of results across Phase 1 (Fitness Validation), Phase 2 (Biobanking), and Phase 3 (Embryology Production) as activated.
Design, implement, and quality-control the nine-trait fitness battery — mating latency, copulation duration, fecundity, egg hatch rate, larval viability (1st–3rd instar and 3rd instar–pupa), adult eclosion and sex ratio, flight performance, and host-seeking latency — across CF-Gen1, CT-Gen1, CF-Gen2, and CT-Gen2 cohorts.
Establish and enforce strict standardization of temperature, humidity, photoperiod, age at testing, diet, handling, and observer methods so that cryopreservation-associated fitness effects can be distinguished from normal biological variation.
Lead statistical analysis of fitness data, including calculation of Hedge’s g effect sizes and percent-difference comparisons relative to the CF-Gen1 baseline, and determine whether observed effects persist, recover, or change across generations.
Direct the mobile field collection team across priority outbreak regions in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and southern Mexico, targeting 600–900 individuals from confirmed breeding populations.
Oversee field collection methods including wound sampling from naturally infested animals, Swormlure-4 baited trapping, rotted-liver bait stations for gravid females, and controlled oviposition on heated substrates to meet live-material targets (2,500+ fertile eggs, 1,200+ larvae, 280+ mated pairs).
Coordinate with local veterinarians, livestock facilities, COPEG operations, and ongoing eradication efforts to secure site access, maintain cross-border coordination, and ensure enhanced biosecurity protocols in active outbreak zones.
Oversee live-colony rearing, larval diet preparation, pupation, and eclosion procedures in coordination with COPEG animal care protocols and Arthropod Containment Level 3 (ACL-3) requirements.
Develop sample chain-of-custody, labeling, metadata, and quality-assurance procedures for live and non-live genetic material entering the biobank in accordance with established biobanking standards.
Prepare detailed protocols, standard operating procedures, equipment specifications, and training materials for laboratory technicians and field personnel.
Deliver weekly progress updates and monthly scientific reports to program leadership; prepare data summaries, statistical analyses, and technical narratives for federal and partner stakeholders and regulatory review.
Provide entomological guidance to embryology, cryopreservation, and cell-culture teams on screwworm developmental biology, reproductive behavior, and host-seeking ecology to support colony reconstitution and restoration success metrics.
Support post-intervention monitoring design, including documentation of genetic bottlenecks, founder effects, and population dynamics during range expansion.
Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations that communicate program findings to the scientific and regulatory communities.
Required Skills and Abilities:
Deep expertise in insect behavioral ecology, host selection, and developmental biology, with demonstrated ability to design and run rigorous laboratory behavioral and life-history assays.
Strong foundation in experimental design and applied statistics, including effect-size analysis, power analysis, and interpretation of variance in behavioral and reproductive traits.
Hands-on experience with insect field sampling and monitoring methods, including baited and pheromone trapping, sentinel or bait-station collection, and standardized arthropod survey techniques.
Experience establishing and maintaining live insect colonies under controlled environmental conditions, including diet formulation and rearing standardization.
Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary research teams and to coordinate across scientific, operations, and external partner organizations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to author protocols, technical reports, and peer-reviewed manuscripts and to present findings to executive and government stakeholders.
Working knowledge of biosafety, containment, and animal-care compliance requirements for arthropod research facilities.
Willingness and ability to travel to and work in field settings across Central America and southern Mexico, including active livestock outbreak zones.
Preferred Skills and Certifications:
Direct experience with Diptera, particularly Calliphoridae or other myiasis-causing or livestock-pest flies; familiarity with Cochliomyia hominivorax biology, the Sterile Insect Technique, and COPEG operations strongly preferred.
Prior research experience with USDA-ARS, USDA-APHIS, or comparable federal or international agricultural research programs.
Background in biological control, beneficial insect introduction, or area-wide integrated pest management programs.
Familiarity with cryopreservation, biobanking, or genetic resource preservation programs for insects or other invertebrates.
Experience working under Arthropod Containment Level 2 or 3 (ACL-2/ACL-3) conditions or with USDA-APHIS permitting.
Proficiency in statistical software (R, SAS, or similar) and data management platforms for large behavioral datasets.
Spanish language proficiency a plus.
Record of peer-reviewed publications in entomology, behavioral ecology, or related fields.
Education and Experience:
Ph.D. in Entomology, Behavioral Ecology, or a closely related field required; emphasis in experimental statistics or ecological biochemistry a plus.
15 or more years of progressive research experience in entomology or insect ecology, with a substantial portion in a lead scientist or principal investigator role.
Demonstrated track record of leading multi-year, multi-site research programs from design through publication.
Experience in academic, federal, or industry research environments; adjunct or teaching experience in entomology or wildlife ecology a plus.
Proven ability to mentor and supervise technicians, students, and early-career scientists.
What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees:
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
Company matched 401k retirement plan
Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks
Education reimbursement
An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state
The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices.
Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal.
Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive.
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