POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN ENTOMOLOGY

 A postdoctoral position is available (initially 2 years funding) immediately.

An average of one new arthropod pest is arriving in Florida each month, and high numbers also threaten U.S. agriculture through arrivals in California, Texas, and other states. Responding to these arrivals necessitates the development of management programs that control the new arrivals, yet avoid disrupting existing crop system management programs. The University of Florida and ARS are currently working together to develop or improve management programs for chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) and the most devastating whitefly biotypes of Bemisia tabaci. This project will supplement that work and will enable them to move quickly to address additional new pests.

Objective 1: Determine efficacy and residual activity of registered insecticides against chilli thrips and other invasive pests.

Objective 2: Develop baseline data of chilli thrips to spinosad (Conserve) and chlorfenapyr (Pylon) for future resistance monitoring efforts.

Objective 3: Determine direct impact and residual activity of insecticides against key beneficial organisms used for biological control of thrips and other invasive pests.

Objective 4: Develop model pesticide rotation programs for chilli thrips and western flower thrips. These rotations will be developed based on residual activity, labeled restrictions on frequency of application and impact on key beneficial arthropods.

Experience with thrips, predatory mites, bugs and entomopathogenic fungi would be advantageous. Depending on the candidate's interests, there will be opportunity to work with scientists at the US Horticultural Research Laboratory (ARS-USDA) in Fort Pierce, Florida on genetic analysis as a tool for identification of predatory mites. This position will be based at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka (15 miles northwest of Orlando), Florida, and will require some work in hot conditions. Interested candidates should submit their CV including publications, a cover letter outlining their research interests, and names and affiliations of 3 people who can be contacted for reference. Salary will depend on applicant's qualification and experience. Position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information contact Lance S. Osborne, Ph.D. at the University of Florida, Mid-Florida Research & Education Center, 2725 Binion Rd., Apopka, FL 32712 or lsosborn@ufl.edu .

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IN PLANT PATHOLOGY

SUMMARY OF POSITION ROLE/RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position is primarily responsible for conducting and coordinating research on several grant-supported projects on the biological control of Pierce's disease of grapevine with benign strains of Xylella fastidiosa.  Responsibilities include conducting greenhouse experiments evaluating the mechanisms of the biological control and vineyard experiments to determine efficacy of a biological control strain of X. fastidiosa in different grape genotypes in different environments.  The responsibilities of this position also include the search for strains of X. fastidiosa that will provide biological control of blueberry leaf scorch, oleander leaf scorch, almond leaf scorch, and other leaf scorch diseases.  This position will also be responsible for conducting research to determine the cause of a serious dieback problem in grapevines in Florida.  The person in this position is expected to become a productive part of the laboratory team.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:  A bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of appropriate experience.  Appropriate college coursework may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

ADVERTISED SALARY:  $27,979.20
(Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualifications and experience.)

For further information contact Donald Hopkins Ph.D. at the University of Florida, Mid-Florida Research & Education Center, 2725 Binion Rd., Apopka, FL 32712 or dhop@ufl.edu .

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.