We seek a highly motivated student to work on a collaborative project on the epigenetic mechanisms of stress tolerance in weeds and model systems. Projects will examine the role of epigenetics in plant response to a variety of stresses, including trans-generational inheritance of epigenetic changes. The student will lead greenhouse and growth chamber studies using a variety of stresses and plant species. The student will be co-advised by Dr. Jacob Barney (http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu) <[http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu)]http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu)> and Dr. Shawn Askew (http://www.ppws.vt.edu/people/faculty/askew-shawn.html) <http://www.ppws.vt.edu/people/faculty/askew-shawn.html)> and work closely with Drs. Jim Westwood, David Haak, and Liqing Zhang. The successful candidate will be fully funded (tuition and stipend) for up to 48 months (Ph.D.) on a graduate research assistantship.

Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA, a college town in an idyllic mountain setting and is the #1 ranked college/university in the U.S. for quality of life (Princeton Review, 8/2016).

Qualifications

Applicants should have a strong interest and a prior degree in biology, ecology, or related discipline, an MS in a related field is desired but not required.  Applicants should have extensive past research experience, an outstanding academic record and GRE scores, and evidence of strong writing and quantitative skills.

Start date for the assistantship is negotiable, ranging from May to August 2017.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

To apply, please email a single PDF file to Dr. Jacob Barney (jnbarney@vt.edu) <mailto:jnbarney@vt.edu)> containing (1) a cover letter outlining your research interests, career goals, relevant experience, and preferred start date; (2) your CV; (3) undergraduate/graduate transcripts and GRE scores; and (4) full contact information for at least 3 professional references.  The subject line of the email should read: Plant Stress Interactions Graduate Position.

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