Positions Available
These pages are intended for ISCE members use only.
ISCE members can submit new available positions to ISCE secretary Anna-Karin Borg-Karlsson.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Insect Chemical Ecology, Ethology and Evolution
Description:
The division of Chemical Ecology received a prestigious Linnaeus grant 2006 for research on how insects use chemical signals to recognize their hosts and how their behavioural response is modulated by shortterm and longterm events, from receptor neuron to CNS. This long term program will run until 2016. We are currently a dozen postdocs, around fifteen M.Sc. & Ph.D.students, and eleven senior researchers – in total around 50 persons.
Within this framework we are recruiting a postdoc whose research will focus on the chemical ecology of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae). The project includes electrophysiological screening and identification of bioactive volatiles, using a wide variety of chemical compounds and several species of gall midges. One important aspect of this project is to elucidate functional characteristics of olfactory receptor neurons to predict changes in host plant species preferences as a possible basis for the fast speciation among gall midges.
Qualifications:
Ideal candidates hold a Ph.D. with a background in insect behavior or chemical ecology. Competence in population genetics is a plus. Candidates should be fluent in spoken and written English.
Starting date: January 2011, for a period of one year, with possibility to a one year extention.
Applications including a letter of motivation, a CV and 3 potential referees should be sent as soon as possible (or at the latest Sept. 15, 2010) via email to:goeran.birgersson@ltj.slu.se or ylva.hillbur@ltj.slu.se
Subject: Application for Postdoctoral fellowship
More information can be found at our website: http://ice3.se/Evolutionof.htm
Contact person:
Assoc. Prof. Göran Birgersson, goeran.birgersson@ltj.slu.se
Assist. Prof. Ylva Hillbur, ylva.hillbur@ltj.slu.se
Post-doctoral position in Behavioral and Chemical Ecology of the solitary, ground nesting wasp Cerceris fumipennis
A post-doctoral position is available immediately in the Department of Entomology, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA. The successful candidate will study the biology of the wasp Cerceris fumipennis. Although the successful applicant will be given the opportunity to develop projects in their area of expertise, the primary goal of the project is to explore the utility of the wasp for biosurveillance of invasive Buprestidae (the wasp provisions its nest with adult burprestid beetles).
Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. and experience in one or more of the following: entomology, behavioral ecology, chemical ecology, pest management or forestry. Prior experience with experimental field ecological research is highly desirable. The position is initially available for one year and is renewable contingent on funding, job performance and continued need for the appointment for an additional two years.
Interested persons should apply online at https://lsusystemcareers.lsu.edu by attaching a cover letter with resume, university transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Letters may be sent directly to:
Jeremy D. Allison, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in Forest Entomology
Department of Entomology
404 Life Sciences Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Email: jallison@agcenter.lsu.edu
One PhD student and one Post-doctoral Fellow positions in chemical ecology
I am seeking one outstanding PhD student and one Post-doctoral Fellow in my Forest Entomology and Invasion Biology Laboratory at the University of Alberta, Department of Renewable Resources. Both positions will focus on the roles of native biotic agents, such as insects and diseases, in range and host expansion of mountain pine beetle in western Canada. Both projects are expected to lay out a blueprint of how interactions among trees, insects and microorganisms can be used as a proactive method to understand the risk potential of species invasion, focusing on plant chemistry. Depending on the interest and quality of the applicants, both positions offer considerable flexibility in designing a research program that investigates areas of personal interest within the overall framework of the project.
For more details, please visit my lab: http://www.ualberta.ca/~erbilgin/
Additional information can also be obtain via email to Nadir Erbilgin at erbilgin@ualberta.ca
PhD Studentship
The Role of Chemicals in Location of Host Plants by Midge Pests of UK Fruit Crops
Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK,
East Malling Research, Kent, UK
Plant-feeding midges are pests of many fruit crops in the UK and elsewhere and are often difficult to control by conventional means. For several species there is evidence that the female midges are strongly attracted by the odours of their host plants. Understanding the mechanism of this attraction could provide the basis for new approaches to controlling these pests directed specifically at the egg-laying females. This project will investigate the chemical basis for this attraction in at least three species of midges which are pests of raspberries, apples and blackcurrants.
The work will involve establishing a supply of insects, collection of host-plant volatiles and development of approaches to establish the biological activity of these in the laboratory and field by appropriate behavioural bioassays. The composition of the volatile mixtures will be determined by methods such as gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry and the active compounds detected by gas chromatography linked to electrophysiological recording from the midge antenna with the aim of producing blends of synthetic chemicals attractive to the female midges.
This is a collaborative project between the Chemical Ecology Group, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich (Prof David Hall) (www.nri.org) and the Entomology Department of East Malling Research (Prof Jerry Cross) (www.emr.ac.uk), providing an interdisciplinary and international research environment involving groups in chemistry, entomology, plant sciences and horticulture.
Candidates should have a good first degree or MSc in an appropriate subject such as biology, entomology or chemistry, and interests in chemical ecology and insect behaviour.
The studentship is funded by the Horticultural Development Company. It provides a stipend in line with Research Council rates (currently £13,290 p.a.) and payment of university fees over three years, starting in September 2010.
Potential candidates should contact Prof David Hall (D.R.Hall@greenwich.ac.uk) or Prof Jerry Cross (jerry.cross@emr.ac.uk) for further information.
Applicants should complete the University of Greenwich application form (available at http://www.gre.ac.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0007/83149/UoGApplicationForm.doc) and send with a CV to nristudentships@gre.ac.uk.
Closing date 30 June 2010
Chemist Position
A chemist position (GS-1320-09) is available immediately for 1-year. Research will focus on the isolation, identification, and synthesis of semiochemicals active against plum curculio pest. Candidate should have a Master degree in chemistry with strong background in organic synthesis. Experience in GC-EAD is desirable. Skills in GC, GC-MS, HPLC are essential. Candidates with strong interest and research experience in insect chemical ecology and/or semiochemical-based IPM tactics will be given preferential consideration. US citizenship is required. Send resume and names of three references to: Dr. Aijun Zhang, USDA-ARS, Plant Science Institute, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, E-mail: aijun.zhang@ars.usda.gov. AA/EOE
Permanent position: Semiochemical Entomologist
The Canadian Forest Service http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/?lang=en is recruiting an entomologist with a specialization in chemical ecology to work at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/regions/glfc in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
The entomologist will work in close collaboration with forest health entomologists, natural products chemist, IPM specialist, and others to investigate, chemically identify, and develop semiochemicals derived from native and alien forest insect pests or host and non-host trees to generate effective pest detection tools. The ability to develop long-term objectives for use of semiochemicals in forest pest management is essential. The candidate should have extensive knowledge of modern semiochemical identification methods, including behavioral bioassays, and gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) technique. The candidate should have knowledge of the role of plant signaling volatiles in plant-insect interactions and the role of semiochemicals in insect mating and other behaviors. Evidence of well-developed research productivity such as published papers in internationally refereed scientific journals or book chapters, and presentations at national and international scientific gatherings is required. The position requires good interpersonal skills, abilities to work as a team member, as well as independently, and to supervise technicians and post-doctoral fellows
Salary: $49,720 to $124,773 dependent of the breadth and depth of the candidate's education and experience.
Closing Date: April 22, 2010 - 23:59,
Preference will be given to Canadian citizens, however we will accept applications from non-Canadians for consideration
Interested candidates should apply on line at:
For English click here en francais à click here
Post-doctoral Position in Metabolomics and Proteomics of Tree
Resistance to Pathogens and Insects
A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State
University (OSU), to use metabolomic and proteomic approaches to study the mechanistic basis of
systemic induced resistance (SIR) and cross-effects between pathogens and insects in pine. Part of the
project is to assess the effects of nutrient availability on host defense responses associated with SIR. The
project is a cooperative effort between the labs of Enrico Bonello (Plant Pathology, OSU,
http://plantpath.osu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-directory/bonello-pierluigi-enrico), Dan Herms
(Entomology, OSU, http://entomology.osu.edu/personnelsingle.asp?strid=287), and Don Cipollini
(Biological Sciences, Wright State University, http://www.wright.edu/~don.cipollini). Candidates for this
position should have a strong record of accomplishment in the areas of molecular plant-microbe or plantinsect
interactions, with emphasis on metabolomics/proteomics and modern bioinformatics. Experience
working with woody plants is desirable but not necessary. The department and the university offer state
of the art facilities and the position provides a competitive salary and full benefits. The position is
initially available for one year and is renewable, contingent upon availability of funding.
To build a diverse workforce, Ohio State University encourages applications from individuals with
disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. EEO/AA employer.
Interested persons should send a complete CV, including the names of at least three references, to Dr.
Pierluigi (Enrico) Bonello, Dept. of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, 201 Kottman Hall, 2021
Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43214, USA; tel - +1-614-688-5401; fax - +1-614-292-4455; email:
bonello.2@osu.edu.
