PhD position in insect-parasitoid interactions and global change

The Prior lab at Binghamton University (SUNY (http://www.priorecologylab.com)  is seeking a Ph.D.
student to work on a project examining how altered species interactions facilitates the success of an invasive gall-forming insect in the Pacific Northwest. We work in an excellent, tractable study system in which we can make comparisons of species interactions (host plants, parasitoid enemies, other
gall-formers) between the invasive gall-formers native and introduced range. We work out in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (PNW), spending time on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and in Washington State.

The lab is seeking a highly-motivated student who is interested in global change ecology, species interactions, plant-insect interactions, experimental ecology, and importantly who is excited about asking ecological questions and conducting research in the field. Students with a BS or MS in Biology (or other relevant discipline), with field experience, research experience, experience with statistics, proven writing and communication skills, and who are self-motivated and independent will be the most competitive. Other desirable qualifications include having additional skills such as experience with genetic techniques, nutrient and chemical analysis, GIS/spatial statistics, or plant and insect taxonomy.

The student will be based at Binghamton University (State University of New York), in Binghamton, NY and will travel to the PNW for fieldwork. The student will be in the Biological Sciences Department, and be a part of the EEB (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior) group (https://www.binghamton.edu/biology/). BU is located in the Southern Tier of NY and is one of the four major University Centers in the SUNY system.

Applications are due on January 15th. If you are interested in the position, please contact me first – Kirsten Prior (kprior@binghamton.edu)