Fwd: Graduate position: WashingtonStateU.PollinatorBeeEvolution

[Ellen Hostert]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <evo...@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca>
Date: Sun, Jan 21, 2024 at 3:02 AM
Subject: Graduate position: WashingtonStateU.PollinatorBeeEvolution
To: <ehos...@maine.edu>

Graduate Opportunity (MS) in Entomology, summer 2024 (pollinator /
bee biology) Department of Entomology, Washington State University

For full job advertisement see:
https://www.murraylabwsu.com/blog--updates

Position description
We are looking for applicants for a recently funded MS student position
at Washington State University (WSU), Department of Entomology. The
student will lead a research project on the pollinator fauna of a
federally endangered, endemic flowering plant, Spalding's Catchfly
(Silene spaldingii). The successful candidate will be carrying out field
work in the Pacific Northwest and use environmental DNA methods to: (1)
identify pollinators of Spalding's Catchfly, (2) identify the presence
of potential nonnative plant species that may compete with Spalding's
catchfly, (3) and examine the pollinator dynamics in an understudied
Pacific Northwest ecosystem.

Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) is a federally listed plant
endemic to the Pacific Northwest. This flowering plant depends on
native grassland habitat which is declining throughout the. Nonnative
invasive plants are considered one of the greatest threats to Spalding's
catchfly populations as they can compete for resources, alter ecosystem
dynamics and may even alter pollinator behavior. There is reason to
believe that the presence of specific nonnative species in Spalding's
catchfly habitat may negatively impact reproduction and impede species
recovery. Understanding this dynamic is imperative because successful
pollination is vital to Spalding's catchfly recovery.

We seek an incoming graduate student with an interest in bee and/or
pollinator biology, identification, and field work. The successful
candidate will collaborate on a research project between (WSU) and the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with field sites in
Northeastern Washington. The student will learn and use novel eDNA
metabarcoding techniques, as well as observation and collecting,
to identify the pollinator fauna of Spalding's catchfly, develop
plant-pollinator visitation networks detailing plant usage, and contribute
to the conservation of a threatened plant species.

Qualifications
BS in entomology, biology, or a related field. Preference given to
candidates who have skills in bee and/or plant identification, and/or
molecular lab work.

Professional expectations: The PhD student will work at Washington
State University, Pullman, in the lab of Silas Bossert and Elizabeth
Murray. There will be several opportunities for travel during the
appointment, including at least one scientific meeting. PIs will encourage
professional development and creative and independent approaches to
problem solving.

About the lab
Our lab is broadly interested in bee and pollinator biology and
evolution. Our expertise includes phylogenomics, faunistics, taxonomy,
museum curation, and comparative analyses. The lab is in the exciting
stage of being recently established and building personnel and resources,
and we welcome candidates who will contribute to a diverse laboratory
environment (https://murraylabwsu.com).

About the location
Washington State University is a land-grant institution
located in Pullman, Washington. The Department of Entomology
(https://entomology.wsu.edu) hosts facilities such as the MT James
Entomological Collection (https://museum.entomology.wsu.edu), the Honey
Bee and Pollinator Research, Extension, and Education Facility, and state
of the art laboratory equipment. Faculty in Entomology are located on
campuses and research & extension centers across the state.

To apply
Contact Silas Bossert (silas....@wsu.edu) prior to applying; please
include your CV along with a description of your background and your
fit for the position. Preferred start time for this position would be
between May 15- June 15, 2024. Candidates will be reviewed starting
February 5th, 2024.


silas....@wsu.edu

(to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to
gol...@mcmaster.ca<mailto:gol...@mcmaster.ca>)

--

Important!  I check email once a day, and often not at all on weekends.  I will respond to your message.  Thank you for your patience.

Ellen E. Hostert, Ph.D. (she/her)
Professor of Biology
University of Maine at Machias
116 O'Brien Avenue
Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-1301
ehos...@maine.edu