MS/PhD Assistantship: Insect responses to enhanced plant diversity in organic agroecosystems

I have USDA funding to support a graduate research assistantship at either the MS or PhD level in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University. The project is part of a multi-disciplinary group aimed at manipulating non-crop plant diversity to enhance ecosystem services in organic agricultural systems. As a result, qualified individuals should be prepared to work with a diverse group of faculty and students in the College of Agriculture at Purdue (e.g., Depts of Horticulture, Agronomy, Botany & Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics). The specific objective of the insect component will be to document changes in natural enemy abundance and impact on herbivorous prey in organic tomato crops, and better understand the mechanisms that underlie community-level changes in system function.

Ideal students should be highly enthusiastic and interested in working at the interface of ecology, entomology, and agriculture. Position comes with an annual stipend of $18,500, full tuition waiver, and benefits package including health insurance. Preferred start date is Spring 2011, although this may be flexible depending on the circumstances (Summer 2011 is a possibility).

For additional information visit the following websites:

Kaplan Lab:  http://www.entm.purdue.edu/ecolab

Purdue Entomology:  http://www.entm.purdue.edu

Interested individuals should contact me directly via email ([email protected]) to discuss their background, qualifications, and research interests. Please provide a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial are fine), and contact information for at least 3 references.

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Ian Kaplan
Assistant Professor
Purdue University
Department of Entomology
West Lafayette, IN

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