2025 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship - Entomology

Call for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Candidates

Join ITM as a host for your MSCA Fellowship!

Explore sugar-feeding in Aedes aegypti

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) Antwerp, Belgium, specifically the Unit of Entomology led by Prof Ruth Müller, welcomes expressions of interest from postdoctoral researchers eager to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF), with ITM as their host institution.

We are looking for a motivated early-career scientist with a background in vector ecology, plant-insect interactions, and/or chemical ecology, interested in exploring plant-feeding behaviour in Aedes aegypti within an urban, dengue-endemic context.

A starting point: 'Urban Nectar'

We envision co-developing a project that investigates Aedes aegypti's use of plant-derived sugars in Kathmandu, Nepal, in partnership with the Planetary Health Research Center (PHRC). The concept, provisionally titled “Urban Nectar”, aims to understand mosquito-plant interactions and their potential role in vector management.

Possible research directions may include:

• Identify dominant plant species contributing to mosquito sugar intake in Kathmandu.

• Quantify sugar-feeding rates in wild Ae. aegypti across seasons and habitats.

• Assess nutritional and behavioral value of local plant species.

• Determine plant volatiles attractive to Ae. aegypti.

• Map spatial overlap of sugar sources and mosquito activity using high-resolution ground surveys.

• Engage communities through citizen science for local data collection and intervention uptake.

However, the final project design will be shaped in collaboration with the selected candidate and our Nepali partners, based on your expertise, ideas, and ambitions.

Kathmandu as research context

Kathmandu, Nepal, presents a unique urban landscape where dengue transmission, mosquito ecology, and urban vegetation intersect. Through collaboration with the Planetary Health Research Council and local stakeholders, this fellowship offers the opportunity to conduct locally relevant, globally impactful research.

Are you a fit?

We seek candidates who:

• Hold a PhD in entomology, ecology, plant sciences, chemical ecology, or a related discipline.

• Have a strong interest in field-based and applied mosquito research.

• Have experience in both molecular and field methods and have published in Q1-listed peer-reviewed journals.

• Are eligible for the MSCA PF scheme (≤8 years post-PhD, mobility rule applies – not resided in Belgium >12 months in the last 3 years).

• Value interdisciplinary, international, and locally grounded science.

What ITM offers

• A dynamic research environment at the forefront of tropical medicine, and specifically medical entomology and EcoHealth

• Strong links with foreseen project partners in Nepal and Europe

• Mentorship and institutional support for MSCA proposal development

• Access to expertise in vector biology, spatial ecology, community engagement, and integrated vector management

Co-develop your fellowship with us

We support selected candidates with:

• Scientific guidance to shape a competitive proposal

• Administrative and strategic support for MSCA application

• Institutional commitment as host organisation

How to express your interest

Fill out the form and include:

• A short CV (max. 2 pages)

• A brief statement of interest (max. 1 page) describing your background and motivation

• Indication of relevant experience and potential alignment with the 'Urban Nectar' theme

MSCA Fellowship Timeline

• Deadline for initial expression of interest: 15 June 2025

• Internal selection: 30 June 2025

• MSCA deadline: 11 September 2025

• Fellowship start: mid-2026 (if successful)

Help us explore new frontiers in mosquito ecology and contribute to sustainable vector control in dengue-endemic cities.

Annex

• 2025 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) Call