Post doc on ecology and evolution of ants in our cities, backyards and houses: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/6697
One postdoctoral position will be available to work in the lab of Rob Dunn in the Department of Biology at North Carolina State University, in potential collaboration with other faculty (depending on the chosen candidate’s interests). Funding will be for work that considers the ecology and evolution of ants. Ongoing work in the lab includes research on crickets, ants, beetles, fungi, bacteria and other taxa using large-scale experiments, genetics, genomics, citizen science, modeling approaches and natural history observations. Work in the lab also includes science writing and public outreach. The candidate would work, in part, on the School of Ants (www.schoolofants.org) project (co-led by Dunn and by Dr. Andrea Lucky at the University of Florida). Preferred projects will be those that take advantage of the data and specimens being compiled at thousands of sites in North America and Europe as part of the School of Ants project and/or work in an array of experimental, open-top warming chambers in the Duke and Harvard Forests. Both the lab and the department are actively growing and so there are many opportunities for ambitious projects. Projects could focus on individual taxa or community level questions, or focus on issues related to the interaction of ants and other species such as their symbionts and pathogens. Scope exists for projects to include genomics, genetics, experiments, natural history and science writing for the public. The most successful projects will be those that help us to understand the species we see everyday but about which we know relatively little, whether those species live in Raleigh, Manhattan or somewhere else in the world. A short cover letter (with a very brief description of research interests and experience) and a separate proposal (<600 words) should both be included with the application. The candidate’s statement and letters should emphasize the candidate’s ability to finish projects and the unique skills the candidate might bring to the lab (www.robdunnlab.com). FTE: 1.0 Length of appointment: Application process has opened (See: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/6697). Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found with an ideal start date in June/July 2012. Position appointment will last for one year from starting date, with possibility of renewal for additional years based on performance and funding. Salary: $36,000 Minimum Experience Education: Ph.D. (awarded by start date) in ecology, evolution, biology, entomology, microbiology, or related fields at the time of employment. The applicant’s CV should indicate evidence of strong scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications in high-ranked journals and/or science writing for the public in high profile magazines and newspapers. Preferred Experience, Skills, & Training: Expertise in ecology and evolution and in addressing questions in a clear hypothesis-testing framework is desired. A background in genetics, history or literature is also of potential value, depending on the direction of the project. The applicant’s CV should indicate evidence of strong scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications in high ranked journals and/or science writing for the public in high profile magazines and newspapers. The successful candidate must be able to interact with a diverse group of researchers and students and benefit from new and established intra- and inter-institution collaborations. The candidate should show strong evidence of the ability to finish projects. Departmental Required Skills: A valid driver’s license is required. NC Driver's license required within 60 days of hire. Application Procedure: This job has formally posted at the NCSU website https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/6697. Please submit a CV, cover letter, project proposal, names and email addresses of three references. Also, as mentioned in earlier ECOLOG post, we have another post doc position available on ecology and evolution of species in our daily lives: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/6595 For more information, please see: http://www.yourwildlife.org/2012/04/want-to-work-in-your-backyard-or-bedroom-were-looking-for-2-new-post-docs/
