We seek a Postdoctoral Researcher to participate in research investigating chemical ecology based alternatives to neonicotinoid pesticides.  The postdoc will oversee research investigating techniques for manipulating plant resistance for protection from seed corn maggot and other pests, in particular how multiple approaches can be combined. In addition, the postdoc will conduct a literature review of chemical ecology practices and how they are best used in an integrated pest management framework. This includes leading laboratory and field experiments and conducting a literature review. Experiments will work largely with seed corn maggot and other pests and pathogens of northeastern corn. The literature review will focus on chemical ecology approaches in corn and other crops of agricultural importance in the northeast. Position is available immediately but the start date is flexible until next spring.  Contact Jennifer with inquiries.

Official announcement and application portal: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21602

Hi Folks,
I’m looking for a postdoc to join my lab to work on non-consumptive effects in predator-prey interactions to start sometime the next academic year. Experience in a variety of areas of including ecology, entomology, physiology, behavior or chemistry would be valuable. See the official announcement below. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Best,
Jennifer Thaler

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Department of Entomology
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cornell University Ithaca, NY

POSITION: Postdoctoral Associate
STARTING DATE: Academic Year 2018-2019
LOCATION: Department of Entomology
Comstock Hall
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

The Thaler lab in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to participate in USDA- funded research in the area of non-consumptive interactions between predators and prey. Our lab combines field-scale experiments with laboratory behavioral, physiological and chemical assays to determine the mechanisms of species interactions. The postdoc will oversee research investigating how prey responses to predators influence prey populations. This includes leading field and laboratory experiments and contributing to population modeling in collaboration with Dr. Nora Underwood’s lab at the University of Florida.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The postdoctoral researcher is expected to carry out a component of the research described in the funded USDA grant including refining the experimental questions and design, conducting statistical analyses, writing the results for publication and presenting the work at scientific meetings.
I also expect the postdoc to develop new, related lines of inquiry. The postdoc plays an important role in the lab, supervising and mentoring undergraduate students who are working on projects related to this research, contributing to a positive lab atmosphere, attending lab meetings, Departmental seminars, and providing scientific feedback for all researchers in the lab.

This is a 12-month appointment which is renewable pending available funding and successful performance.

Requirements: PhD in Ecology, Entomology or related field

To apply: please contact Jennifer Thaler at jst37@cornell.edu providing your CV, including details of two referees. The covering letter should include an explanation of how your qualifications and experience make you a good candidate for the position. Please make clear which position you are applying for, to ensure full consideration, all materials should be received by July 15 however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Graduate student Sara Hermann recently completed her Masters Exam.  Congratulations to Sara!

1. Sara Herman wins the first prize Presidential award at the Entomological Society of America for her talk “Non-consumptive efects of spined soldier bug presence on adult Colorado potato beetle behavior”

2. Monica Kersch-Becker’s paper “Virus strains differentially induce plant susceptibility to aphid vectors and chewing herbivores” is now in press at Oecologia!

3. Scott McArt’s paper “Plant genotypic diversity reduces the rate of consumer resource utiliation” was accepted to the Proceedings of the Royal Sociey B!

4. Suzi Claflin’s NSF graduate research fellowship “Effects of vector species diversity on virus prevalence: testing the dilution effect hypothesis” was funded!!