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The Garnas lab (http://colsa.unh.edu/faculty/garnas) seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to study 1) patterns and consequences of microbial diversity in the beech bark disease (BBD) pathogen complex and associated bark communities; and 2) impacts of divergent life histories among the dominant BBD associates on pathogen gene flow and population structure across the range of the disease. Within this framework, the successful candidate will be encouraged to develop his/her own ideas to advance basic and applied knowledge around fungal evolution in the context of a complex, multi-player decline disease.
Brief background
Beech bark disease (BBD) is a widespread decline disease arising from complex interactions among a non-native scale insect and at least two putatively native pathogens that differ in key aspects of their biology and ecology. Recent work also suggests that associated microbes may play a role in disease development and/or attenuation. In addition to being highly relevant ecologically (e.g., to wildlife and to forest stand development), the BBD system represents fertile ground for scientific inquiry, with many key questions that are currently unexplored.
Details of the position and skills sought
The ideal candidate will have both experience and a proven publication record that demonstrates a keen interest and background in population genetics and/or bioinformatics as well as facility with the core concepts of eco-evolutionary dynamics. While the research will be primarily lab and bioinformatics-based, a non-trivial field component to help augment current collections across the range of the disease may be required, together with fungal isolation and culture curation. Experience working with fungi is preferred but not required.
Funding is for 2 years at with an annual salary of $48K plus benefits. Target start date is October 1, 2017.
The University of New Hampshire and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment are home to a vibrant community of productive researchers with a strong commitment to student success (see: http://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2017/03/excellence-ecology and https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/2017/05/unh-top-10). Located in the town of Durham, UNH is a beautiful campus surrounded by forest and natural landscapes. Only 30 minutes from the sea and less than 2 hours from the White Mountains, outdoor and other recreational activities abound, including right on campus.
Interested applicants should please send the following as a single pdf file to jeff.garnas@unh.edu:
- CV
- Statement of purpose that summarizes research goals/interests/trajectory and relevant experience
- 2-5 relevant publications, with an annotated list of the applicant’s role/contribution for each
- Contact information for three references
Position will be open until filled. Review of applications will begin on or around the first week of July. Apologies for cross-postings.
