Entomology Department seeks landscape ecology post-doctoral research associate

Michigan State University's Department of Entomology is looking to hire a post-doctoral research associate to study pollination in agricultural landscapes.

Michigan State University’s Department of Entomology is looking to hire a post-doctoral research associate to study pollination in agricultural landscapes. This position will be based in Rufus Isaacs’ laboratory and will work closely with Doug Landis’ laboratory. The initial focus of this position will be on understanding and developing models for how local and landscape manipulations affect pollinators and pollination service provisioning, with plans to integrate additional ecosystem services into the framework as the research develops.

The preferred candidate will hold a Ph.D. in environmental biology, conservation science, entomology or ecology, and have experience with spatial statistics, GIS, mechanistic and empirical modelling, and R and/or Python programming. Detailed knowledge of insect biology would be useful. Experience in modelling ecosystem services from a variety of domains (e.g., insect-mediated services, water quality, cultural services) would be an asset.

The research associate will be expected to:

  • Refine and integrate existing models for ecosystem services.
  • Identify knowledge gaps and design field experiments to resolve them.
  • Lead development of scientific papers targeted at peer reviewed journals.
  • Supervise junior project personnel.
  • Assist in grant writing, and eventually lead proposals to fund related work.
  • Co-author extension publications targeted at landholders and conservation planners.

Funding is available for 2.5 years and will be renewed annually, based on performance. This position will have a starting salary of $45,000 and comes with a generous benefits package for research associates (www.hr.msu.edu). The position will be available starting September 1, 2015 or as negotiated.

For more information on this position, go to http://www.jobs.msu.edu and search for posting 1043.

How to apply: Applicants must apply online at http://www.jobs.msu.edu and reference the job posting number 1043, along with the following: CV; a letter explaining your experience, career goals and interest in the position; and up to three relevant publications. Applications must be received by April 29, 2015 for full consideration.

Questions may be directed to Rufus Isaacs (isaacsr@msu.edu).

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