Ph.D. Research Assistantship: Food Web Ecology Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky
A USDA-funded Ph.D. Research Assistantship is available in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky to examine the structure and function of food webs in organic cucurbit crop systems. The project will integrate ecological, behavioral and molecular approaches to aid in the development innovative organic farming systems to protect muskmelon and acorn squash, with minimal need for pesticides while building soil quality and conserving natural enemies. This research seeks to advance sustainable management of many additional cucurbit crops, and in addition to the integration of basic and applied approaches to agroecology, will provide the graduate student the opportunity for outreach and educational initiatives. This integrative project will combine research in the laboratories of James Harwood ([email protected], Entomology), Ric Bessin ([email protected], Entomology) and Mark Williams ([email protected], Horticulture). The candidate should have broad training in entomology, ecology, horticulture or a related discipline. A MS degree is preferred, but not required. Start date: January 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. To apply: please email a CV, cover letter outlining research interests and a list of three references to James Harwood at [email protected] www.facebook.com/HarwoodLab http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/ipages/jharwood.asp
