Postdoc opportunity on the evolution of insecticide resistance at SLU, Alnarp.
We look for a highly motivated postdoc to study the impact of host plant range on the evolution of insecticide resistance in pest insects. The project period is 2 years, funded by a taxfree scholarship from Carl Tryggers Foundation.
Project description
An increased number of phytophagous pest insects have developed resistance to the available insecticides. According to the pre-adapted hypothesis, insecticide resistance readily evolves in herbivorous insects since they already are adapted to tolerate and resist chemical defences of their host plants. Recent research has suggested that generalists are more prone to evolve insecticide resistance and, moreover, that insecticide resistance may evolve when insects expand their host plant range. This opens up for the converse hypothesis that evolution of insecticide resistance could select for an increased degree of generalism, i.e. an extended use of host plant species, in the insect. This project aims to investigate the pre-adapted hypothesis in a generalist and a specialist moth species, respectively, as well as the converse hypotheses that insecticide resistance increases host plant range. To study this, we will perform selection experiments combined with transcriptome analysis and entometabolomic profiling.
Organisation
The project is a collaboration between Dr Kristina Karlsson Green, Prof Peter Anderson and Dr Amit Roy. The postdoc will be based at the department of Plant Protection Biology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp. The molecular analyses may be performed at the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague. Start date: as soon as possible.
Merits
We seek a person with a PhD in Biology or equivalent. Previous experience in working with insecticide resistance, selection experiments with insects or molecular analyses is meriting. High motivation and enthusiasm is important, as well as ability to work both independently and in a team. Personal skills are therefore an important part of the evaluation.
Application and contact
Please send your application including CV, list of publications, copy of PhD diploma, references and personal letter directly to kristina.karlsson.green@slu.se, no later than the 11th of January. Do not hesitate to e-mail if you have further questions!
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