Postdoctoral Researcher position available for an insect ecologist Position summary: We wish to hire a postdoctoral researcher to join our research group to conduct research on the ecology and management of Asian citrus psyllid in Florida citrus. Asian citrus psyllid vectors the bacterial pathogen responsible for 'citrus greening', a disease that is devastating citrus in Florida and elsewhere around the globe. The primary responsibilities of this position involve monitoring and quantifying population movement and population growth dynamics within a large (6500 acre) citrus grove in south central Florida; monitoring the proportion of psyllids vectoring the citrus greening pathogen in relation to different experimental management treatments; measuring pesticide resistance levels in psyllid populations; designing and executing field experiments; analyzing experimental and observational data; and writing scientific manuscripts. The postdoc will help supervise graduate and undergraduate students and will function as an integral member of a larger team (PIs, postdocs, graduate students) of entomologists, microbiome specialists, and chemists devoted to the management of this disease.
Annual salary: $50,000 plus full CSU benefits. The initial appointment will be for one year with strong potential for renewal for a second year, contingent on performance and availability of continued funding. Ideally, this position would start early- to mid-March. Qualifications: Candidates should have a PhD in ecology, entomology, or related discipline. The successful candidate should be willing to frequently travel between Colorado and Florida and must able to conduct long days of physically demanding field work under hot and humid field conditions in a commercial citrus grove. Prior experience with the ecology of insect vectors of plant pathogens is beneficial, but not required. The successful candidate should have excellent data analysis skills; the ability and desire to work collaboratively with others on a team; the ability to supervise graduate and undergraduate students; and be detailed oriented and well-organized. A valid driver's license is required. Questions and application materials: Please submit a cover letter, CV, and names of three references to Paul Ode ([email protected]; 970-491-4127) and/or Pankaj Trivedi ([email protected]).
