Department of Entomology

MS student in Host plant resistance in cranberries

Position Description:
A MS research assistantship is available to assess host plant resistance in cranberries by looking at varietal susceptibility to three of the major Lepidopteran cranberry pests. The study will involve laboratory rearing of insects, greenhouse growing of cranberry plants, and field studies. This study would involve assessing development rate of insects on different cranberry cultivars and wild varieties, population densities found in the field, assessing female fecundity and egg survival, and assessing plant damage.

Information on University, Department, Lab, and City:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the major research universities in the United States. This project will be supported in the Department of Entomology and under the supervision of Dr. Christelle Guédot. Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the best places in the United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin's capital city, with a vibrant population of approximately 230,000 that combines small town charm with a nice variety of leisure and cultural opportunities.

Stipend/Salary:
Current annual stipend levels are $20,400 per year before taxes, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Financial support is available for two years. The start date for the project is June of 2013.

Qualifications:
A BS or BA degree in entomology, biology or other related disciplines is required.

We are looking for a motivated student interested in pursuing a MS degree at the UW-Madison in the Guédot Lab studying integrated pest management in fruit crops. The preferred candidate will have some prior research or field experience and have some knowledge of insect rearing. Candidates should have interests in entomology, integrated pest management, and working in the field and laboratory. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, are essential.

Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until candidates are chosen. The application deadline is Mar 1, 2013. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the following documents listed below to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (in ONE PDF file please). Please specify in your letter when you would be available to start.

Required Documents:

• The Entomology University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate Application Cover Sheet
• A well-crafted cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds
• Resume/CV
• Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
• GRE scores if available
• Names and contact addresses of three references
   

PhD student in Molecular Mechanisms of Insecticide Resistance

The Lan lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks a motivated Ph.D. student interested in (a) identify potential resistant genes in imidacloprid resistant Colorado potato beetle populations in Wisconsin, (b) determine the prevalence of the resistant gene expression in the field populations, and (c) verify the role of each resistant gene in the resistant phenotype. We will use our findings to inform growers in strategizing the integrate pest management programs. For this position, we are in search of a student with a strong background in toxicology or physiology who is also interested in using molecular technologies/bioinformatics to identify and isolate targeted genes and quantify the levels of expression at the population scale. The research will involve mRNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, and RNAi to correlate specific gene to the resistant genotype in field populations of beetles. The student will matriculate in the Department of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  Questions about the position should be directed to Professor Que Lan.

Position is available starting on or after September 1, 2013.  The position is a standard 50% time research assistantship, with a stipend (currently $20,400/year), tuition remission, and access to health benefits.

Application Process:

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until candidates are chosen. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Interested applicants should follow the instructions on the departmental application process webpage (specifically the application materials section, http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/application-process#app_materials) and indicate that they are interested in this specific position and Dr. Lan in their supplemental application.   Applicants with questions about the admissions process should contact the departmental Student Services Coordinator, Sara Rodock (email or 608.262.9926).

Applications received by February 1, 2013 will be given preference for review, but late files will be reviewed until a candidate is selected.

PhD Research Assistantship in Terrestrial Food Web Ecology

University of Wisconsin – Madison

We are looking for a motivated student interested in pursuing a PhD at the UW-Madison as part of the Gratton Lab studying the interactions between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.  This work takes place at a biologically rich and scenic area in northeast Iceland, centered on Lake Myvatn.  An ideal candidate needs to have a solid background in biology or ecology, have some prior research or field experience, and be able work in Iceland for summer field work.  Candidates should have interests in arthropod food web ecology, community ecology, aquatic-terrestrial linkages, linkages between below- and above-ground food webs and/or the role of arthropods in ecosystem processes.

For more information on this project visit the these links: Project link, Research Blog

This research is part of a broad collaborative effort including Claudio Gratton (Entomology), Tony Ives (Zoology), Randy Jackson (Agronomy), Phil Townsend (Forestry and Wildlife Ecology), and Jake Vander Zanden (Center for Limnology/Zoology) at the University of Wisconsin.  Students will be applying through the Zoology program.  Graduate support would include a mix of research and teaching assistantships.

To apply, please complete this cover sheet and send this with a cover letter outlining your research interests, prior experiences and why you want to go to graduate school and join our group, CV, and names of 3 references as a single pdf file to Claudio Gratton (cgratton@wisc.edu).  

Deadline: 1 October 2012.

If you are planning on attending the 2012 Ecological Society Meeting in Portland, OR, we can try to schedule a meeting there.

Application: http://go.wisc.edu/82byd7

For additional employment opportunities in the Entomology department, please visit our Employment Opportunities page.