Job Description
LITE (iiDiagnostics)
Salary: £25,804 - £28,778 per annum (starting salary will be £25,804 p.a.)
Full-Time, Fixed-term appointment to 31st December 2026 (possibility of extension subject to funding)
The Liverpool Insect Testing Establishment (LITE), a dedicated team within the Department of Vector Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, is seeking motivated and detail-oriented Insectary Technicians to join our team. LITE is part of the LSTM subsidiary company iiDiagnostics, and plays a crucial role in testing lead chemicals for the control of public health vectors, contributing to vital efforts to accelerate vector control products to the market.
In this role, you will be responsible for maintaining mosquito colonies within our state-of-the-art Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-accredited insectary facilities. The post holders will rear multiple strains of mosquitoes to support ongoing testing needs both within LSTM and for external partners. You will ensure that mosquito colonies are healthy, robust, and available for testing, as well as contributing to the smooth running of the insectary facilities.
Key responsibilities will include:
Mosquito rearing
- Rear susceptible and resistant mosquito colonies of the genera Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex, including the provision of sugar meals, blood meals and larval diet
- Liaise with other members of the team to ensure sufficient live material is available for testing
- Measure mosquito weights and wing length span on subsets of mosquito colonies and escalate any deviations from expectations to LITE study Directors
Smooth running of the insectaries
- Prepare of larval and adult diets
- Clean all equipment associated with mosquito rearing
- Ensure insectary space is kept clean, tidy and well stocked
- Assist with development of insectary standard operating procedures
Fulfilment of mosquito orders
- Liaise with other team members to plan and ensure availability of mosquitoes to be supplied to other groups or external partners
- Prepare mosquitoes for shipments or transfer between LSTM buildings, including sexing and aspirating adult mosquitoes in cups/cages
Preparation for testing
- Ensure testing mosquitoes are aspirated into holding tubes and ready for testing as requested by laboratory technicians/Study Directors
- Ensure holding tubes and cups are prepared and ready for testing as requested by laboratory technicians/Study Directors
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Qualified to GCSE level (or equivalent) including Maths and English Language
- BSc in Biological Science or science related subject or equivalent (desirable)
- Meticulous attention to detail and ability to prioritise workload
- Proven ability to work using own initiative and without supervision, directing own work
- Excellent observational and organisational skills
- Previous experience of establishing and maintaining colonies of mosquitoes (desirable)
Please be aware that this role requires working in a warm and humid insectary environment. Additionally, you will be expected to work weekends on a rotational basis to ensure the continuous care and maintenance of the insect colonies.
(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria please refer to the job description and person specification)
Additional benefits of joining LSTM:
- 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, plus Christmas closure days
- Generous occupational pension schemes
- Government backed “cycle to work” scheme.
- Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
- A range of additional family friendly policies
Application Process: To apply for the position please follow the apply link and upload your CV and covering letter.
Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we may close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.
Please note that interviews are expected to take place week commencing 8th June 2026.
Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM.
We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diversity across our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. LSTM selects candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience.
We welcome conversations about flexible working; and applications from those returning to employment after a break from their careers.
LSTM is committed to upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law for all its members. Candidates will not be disadvantaged or adversely impacted for exercising their free speech within the law during our recruitment processes. For more information, see our Freedom of Speech Code of practice https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/about/policies-and-procedures/freedom-of-speech-code-of-practice.
About LSTM
Founded in 1898 and the oldest of its kind in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases. Through the creation of effective links with governments, NGOs, private organisations and global institutions and by responding to the health needs of communities, LSTM aims to promote improved health, particularly for people of the less developed/resource poorest countries in the tropics and sub-tropics.
Look at some of the great work we have achieved over the past year by viewing our annual report:
https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/about/annual-reports-and-financial-statements
LSTM actively promotes Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies
