Could you please post this to the ecology-l listserv? PhD positions in social insect molecular ecology and phylogenomics Openings for two PhD positions are anticipated to study molecular ecology and phylogenomics of social insects and possibly other urban arthropod pests in the laboratory of Ed Vargo in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. The Vargo lab (http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/) is a dynamic research group housed in the Rollins Urban and Structural Facility, a state of the art research and training facility. Our research focuses on population genetics and colony breeding structure of urban insect pests, primarily termites and ants. Research topics in the lab include the invasion biology of termites, ants, bed bugs and cockroaches using phylogenomic approaches, causes and consequences of colony breeding structure in ants and termites, the genetic and behavioral basis of disease immunity in social insects, and management of urban pests. Students will develop specific research projects based on their interests and aptitudes that fit within the research areas explored by the lab. Candidates should have some background in molecular ecology and/or entomology with an interest in one or more of the following areas: population genetics, genomics/bioinformatics, invasion biology and behavioral ecology.
The Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University (http://entomology.tamu.edu/) is one of the leading entomology departments in the U.S. and offers outstanding graduate training, excellent facilities and competitive stipends. In addition Ed Vargo is a faculty member in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology interdisciplinary doctoral program (http://eeb.tamu.edu/) consisting of faculty, postdocs and students across campus. Pursuing a degree in the EEB program is an option. Texas A&M University is located in College Station, a small but vibrant college town located near other major cities in Texas (Houston, Austin, San Antonio) offering an abundance of cultural attractions. Interested applicants should send a C.V., a brief statement about research interests, (unofficial) transcripts, GRE scores and contact information for three references to [email protected]. Starting date is Summer 2017. -- Ed Vargo Professor and Endowed Chair in Urban and Structural Entomology Department of Entomology 2556 F&B Rd., Building 1804 2143 TAMU Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-2143, U.S.A. Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Tel.: 979-845-5855 Fax.: 979-845-5926 Skype: ed.vargo Web page: http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/
