M.S. Assistantship in Soil Insect Ecology and Biogeochemistry
The Soil Insect Ecology Laboratory at Purdue University (Dr. Douglas Richmond)
seeks a M.S. candidate
to advance ongoing research focusing on the biogeochemical dimensions of the
invasive, soil-dwelling
larval stage of the Japanese beetle (JB). The successful candidate will work as
part of an
interdisciplinary team of scientist exploring the impact of insect invasion on
soil C/N cycling, microbial
communities and soil organic matter dynamics as part of a USDA-NIFA-AFRI funded
collaboration
between Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin. This is a 2-year
appointment based in West
Lafayette, IN.
The objectives of the project are to:
1) Quantify the impact of JB on soil CO2 and N2O flux and explore how JB
influences the quantity and
quality of soil organic matter. 2) Explore linkages between soil organic matter
and JB feeding strategy
using a microscale forensic organic geochemical tool to examine JB gut contents
and soil particulate
organic matter 3) Quantify changes in soil microbial diversity (bacteria,
archaea, and fungi) associated
with JB invasion, and quantify microbial genes associated with soil C and N
cycling.
The successful candidate will work with Drs. Douglas Richmond, Michael Scharf,
Ronald Turco, and
Timothy Filley at Purdue University, and Dr. Chris Williamson at the University
of Wisconsin.
Responsibilities:
• Work with Principle Investigators to establish field sites and sampling
regimes in Indiana and
Wisconsin.
• Lead field and laboratory efforts to related directly to objective 1
and 2.
• Develop and present (written and oral) products suitable for scientific
audiences explaining the
purpose and results of the project.
• Produce and defend a Master’s thesis based on the described research.
• Create scientific manuscripts based on research that are suitable for
publication in soil ecology and
entomology journals.
• Participate in scientific meetings and engage with colleagues and
collaborators pursuing related
research questions.
• Provide guidance and assistance to technicians, students, and others
carrying out related work.
Preferred Qualifications:
• B.S. in Biology, Entomology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related
field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work
within a large interdisciplinary
team.
Preferred start date is Summer 2018. The assistantship provides an annual
stipend of $20,000 per year
plus benefits, and graduate tuition and fee remissions totaling $10,400.
Interested applicants should
submit a single pdf composed of cover letter, CV, and names and contact
information for 3 references to
drichm...@purdue.edu by March 1, 2018. Please use the subject header “JB MS
assistantship”. The
cover letter should include (1) a summary of the applicant’s goals (2) the
applicant’s earliest possible
start date.
About Purdue University:
The Department of Entomology at Purdue is an integral part of the College of
Agriculture, one of the
world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource
sciences, ranked eighth globally
in the 2016 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to
the three land-grant
missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and
perspectives that span all
missions. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 325 faculty,
2782 undergraduate
students, and 690 graduate students. For more information on the Entomology
Graduate Program,
Purdue University and West Lafayette, Indiana see:
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/prospective-grads/,
http://www.purdue.edu/ and http://www.homeofpurdue.com/
