Zoonotic Disease Program Internship - Multiple Openings

Summary: The Ohio Department of Health is seeking College Interns to join the Zoonotic Disease Program, focusing on monitoring vector-borne diseases in Ohio. Interns will engage in fieldwork and laboratory tasks, assisting with the identification of arthropods and data entry related to disease surveillance. Responsibilities: - Assist entomologists in identifying mosquitoes and ticks to the species level and preparing samples for pathogen testing - Capture mosquitoes and ticks using a variety of traps and techniques and prepare samples for pathogen testing - Assist with data entry and reporting as needed - Assist lab scientists at the Ohio Department of Health Laboratory with testing a high volume of arthropod samples using techniques such as RNA extraction and real-time RT-PCR - Assist with data entry and summarization of laboratory and surveillance data for West Nile virus and other vector-borne diseases Required Qualifications: - Students must be pursuing a degree in biological science, public health, or a related field - Students must agree to work full time for at least a 14-week period of the project May 4 – August 21, 2026 - Students must have basic laboratory skills such as using a microscope - Students must have the ability to work independently - Entomology Interns must have a valid driver's license and be willing to drive a state vehicle - Laboratory Interns should have laboratory related coursework and/or experience with laboratory techniques such as pipetting and working in biological safety cabinets - Students must be able to provide their own transportation to work Required Skills: Laboratory techniques, Biological science Important Skills: Public health, Entomology Nice-to-Have Skills: Observation, Microscope usage, Pipetting, Problem solving, Adaptability Benefits: Medical Coverage, Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period, Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year, Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave, Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more), Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)