- Agency
- February-July 2021
- Location
- Ann Arbor Michigan/remotely
- Job Category
- Post Doctoral Appointments
- Start Date
- February 2021
- Last Date to Apply
- Dec 17, 2020
- Website
- https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/504135/research-associatefixed-term
- Description
- The Wetzel and Szendrei labs at Michigan State University are hiring a postdoctoral scholar for a USDA NIFA-funded project on the temporal ecology of extreme weather events in agroecosystems. The project examines the effects of heat waves on interactions among potato plants, insect herbivores, and predators/parasitoids. A major goal is understanding the role of heat wave timing–how the timing of a heat wave influences its ecological impacts. We seek to improve our ability to manage pests ecologically and sustainably in the face of climate change. We are willing to consider field ecologists with strong statistical modeling skills or quantitative ecologists/ecological modelers interested in doing some work with field data. The position is for two years, subject to review after one year. Start date is negotiable, ideally in February-July 2021, starting remotely and transitioning to in-person when safe. Duties will depend on the strengths of the candidate, but they could include planning and coordinating lab and field studies, supervising undergraduate researchers and research technicians, statistical modeling, mathematical modeling, writing manuscripts, and presenting at conferences. There is potential for a focus on chemical ecology or thermal ecophysiology, depending on interest. *Plant-insect ecology at Michigan State University* MSU is a fantastic place to study plant-insect ecology. We have a large and dynamic community working on cutting-edge questions about plants and insects in natural and agricultural systems. Potential collaborators and colleagues can be found in the departments of Entomology, Plant Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Integrative Biology, and across the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program and the Plant Resilience Institute. The university has a large greenhouse facility and access to field sites on campus and at Kellogg Biological Station. *How to apply* Position open until filled, but please submit an application by Dec 17th for full consideration. Submission link: https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/504135/research-associatefixed-term Feel free to email wcwetzel@msu.edu to start a conversation about the position. When emailing, please include: 1) Cover letter describing past research accomplishments, research interests, and career goals 2) CV 3) 2-3 published papers or manuscripts in preparation 4) Names and email addresses for 3 references For more information about our work see https://wetzellab.com/. Michigan State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities. International candidates are eligible. Our labs strive to be safe spaces for diversity in STEM. We welcome applications from candidates from groups traditionally excluded from academia. E-mail questions to Will Wetzel (wcwetzel@msu.edu).
- Qualifications
- Applicants should have a PhD in ecology, population biology, applied math, entomology, plant biology, or a related field. Candidates must have strong quantitative skills. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following: modeling of temporal data, chemical ecology, thermal biology, and plant-herbivore or predator-prey interactions.
- Job Number
- 244
- Contact Person
- Will Wetzel
- Contact eMail
- wcwetzel@msu.edu