Job Description Post Doc.
Title: Postdoctoral Position
Working Title: Consequences of urban and global warming for plant-animal interactions.
Work Location: Gardner Hall, Lab of Steve Frank in the Department of Entomology at North Carolina State University
In collaboration with: Rob Dunn (Department of Biology), Meg Lowman (Nature Research Center), Nick Haddad (Department of Biology), Nadia Singh (Department of Genetics)
FTE: 1.0
Length of appointment: Job opens January 1, 2012. Review of applications will begin November 10, 2011 though applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. Position appointment will last for one year from starting date, with possibility of renewal based on performance and funding.
Salary: $36,000
Departmental Required Skills:
A valid driver’s license is required. NC Driver’s license required within 60 days of hire.
Essential Job Duties: One postdoctoral position will be available beginning as soon as January 2012 to work in the lab of Steve Frank in the Department of Entomology at North Carolina State University in potential collaboration with labs in the Department of Biology, the Nature Research Center and the Department of Genetics. Funding will be partially or fully to work on a project that examines the consequences of urban heat islands and global climate change for arthropods of societal or economic importance. The warmest parts of Raleigh, North Carolina and Manhattan, two of the current study areas, are already as much as 5 degrees C warmer than adjacent natural areas. The study design will include both large observational studies (across cities) and controlled experimental manipulation in large-scale outdoor climate chambers to uncover ecological phenomena and the mechanisms behind them. The project may include work to compare arthropod responses in urban environments to in large experimental warming chambers in the forest understory of Duke Forest. Study organisms can be selected to accommodate goals of the project and expertise of successful the candidate. Ongoing work in the group includes research on scale insects, butterflies, ants, flies and crickets.
Cover letter should include a description of research interests and experience and a separate proposal (<600 words) of research they would like to complete in the framework outlined above. Depending upon early results, a genetic component to this study is also possible (in collaboration with Nadia Singh in the Department of Genetics) as would be a modeling and/or macrecological component (with Rob Dunn and Nick Haddad in the Dept. of Biology). Opportunities also exist for collaborative outreach through the southeastern Climate Science Center (http://www.theglobalchangeforum.org/) and the Nature Research Center (http://naturalsciences.org/nature-research-center), both of which expanding through hires in the next years.
Minimum Experience Education: Ph.D. in ecology, evolution, biology, entomology or related fields. The applicant’s CV should indicate evidence of strong scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications in high ranked journals.
Preferred Experience, Skills, & Training:
Expertise in arthropods, urban ecology, or climate change of particular interest. A background in genetics is also of potential value, depending on the direction of the project. The applicant’s CV should indicate evidence of strong scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications, particularly in high ranked journals. The successful candidate must be able to interact with a diverse group of researchers and students and benefit from new and established intra- and inter-institution collaborations. The candidate should show strong evidence of the ability to finish projects.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
Application Procedure: Submit a CV, cover letter, names and email addresses of three references to the NCSU website at http://jobs.ncsu.edu/. Proper documentation of identity and employability will be required.
North Carolina State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. The University strongly encourages all qualified applicants to apply. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact Steven Frank sdfrank@ncsu.edu or (919) 280-8623.