- Agency
- CAES Entomology Research Coastal - University of Georgia
- Location
- Tifton, GA
- Job Category
- Post Doctoral Appointments
- Salary
- $50,000/year
- Start Date
- 01/01/2020
- Website
- https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/179372
- Description
- The position will be specifically focused on toxicology technologies for whiteflies, including dose-response (LC50) determinations, induction of metabolic detoxification and testing for pre- and post-treatment responses, and molecular techniques for determining the presence and frequency of insecticide resistance genes. Following the insecticide bioassays, surviving insects will be preserved in RNAlater and stored at -40C until RNA and DNA extraction can be performed. Total RNA will be extracted with a Direct-zol RNA miniprep kit (Zymo Research) according to the manufacturer’s protocol, after which first-strand cDNA will be generated using SuperScript VILO master mix (Invitrogen). Genomic DNA will be extracted using an E.Z.N.A. Insect DNA Kit (Omega Bio-tek). cDNA and genomic DNA will be stored at -80o until assayed. Standard PCR will be used initially to screen for known mutations conferring target-site resistance. Specific mutations will be described above for each class of insecticide. Primers will be designed to amplify only wild-type (susceptible) targets, so failure to amplify the target will imply a mutation relative to the wild-type sequence. The specific mutation will be identified by amplifying and sequencing (in both directions) a region of ~600 bp around the suspected mutation site. Various PCR machines (including a MJ Research PTC-200 nad an Eppendorf MasterCycler Gradient machine) are available at the Athens campus. Amplifications will use Phusion Taq (New England Biolabs), a proofreading Taq polymerase, to minimize chances of PCR-induced errors. The whitefly colony rearing, bench top bioassays, field collections / testing, and sample preparation for RNA and DNA extraction will be conducted on the UGA Tifton Campus. PCR work will be conducted at the UGA Athens Campus and all travel costs for this work will be covered by the project, but the candidate is expected to live in or near Tifton. In addition to the development of refereed journal articles from this work, the candidate will summarize insecticide resistance management information for public use through a whitefly management website and present findings at the annual SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference at Savannah, GA. The successful applicant will coordinate, conduct and publish original research to support southeastern growers with management of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, on vegetables. The project will integrate knowledge of insecticide resistance, pest ecology and biology to formulate and test novel pest management strategies to include insecticide resistance management, improved insecticide controls, and basic knowledge on the mechanisms of insecticide resistance in whiteflies. Research is expected to include laboratory, greenhouse, plot and on-farm trials. Funds were specifically budgeted in the grant to support this position. This work can not be completed successfully unless this position is filled. The project will integrate knowledge of pest ecology and biology to formulate and test novel pest management strategies to include cultural controls, insecticides, host plant resistance and biological control. Research is expected to include laboratory, greenhouse, plot and on-farm trials. Funds were specifically budgeted in the grant to support this position. This work can not be completed successfully unless this position is filled.
- Qualifications
- Applicant must have a Ph.D. in Entomology or a closely related field and a strong background of relevant course work and experience in toxicology, data analysis and publication, and experience in identifying mechanisms of insecticide resistance in insects.
- Job Number
- 246