Post-doc position available immediately

"DNA-based diagnostics for spruce budworm, its parasitoids, and other
conifer-feeding species "

A postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Smith lab at the
University of Guelph (Ontario) in the application of DNA-based diagnostics
in the early detection of species involved in predating upon the spruce
budworm (SBW). In particular, experience in the design and implementation
of microarrays is necessary.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. and extensive training and experience
in one or more of the following areas: DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR and
microarray development. The ideal candidate will also have broad training
in evolutionary biology, strong writing skills, and prior management
experience.

The successful applicant will play a key role in a recently funded
project to develop and apply new methods involving DNA-based diagnostics
for the rapid identification natural enemies of the spruce budworm in
New Brunswick.  The spruce budworm (SBW - Choristoneura fumiferana)
is the major coniferous forest pest in eastern North America.

The goal of this project is to design a DNA-based diagnostic for these
critical, but difficult to quantify and identify the complement of natural
enemies (insect parasitoids and pathogens) that act as natural control
agents. To do so, we will adapt, and augment, the existing library of DNA
barcodes (small, standardised gene sequences) into a DNA microarray chip
enabling us to rapidly identify and quantify the many organisms that
interact directly (> 100 species of natural enemies) and indirectly
(other conifer-feeding species that serve as alternate/alternative
hosts of SBW parasitoids) with the spruce budworm and form the so-called
"spruce budworm food web".

Interested applicants should submit a CV, a letter describing their
research interests and career goals, and contact information for
two references to Dr. Alex Smith (salex@uoguelph.ca). Further
information on my research interests and publications can be
found at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/~salex/ and on Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=i5jERHcAAAAJ&hl=en.

Applications will be considered for an immediate start date.

Alex Smith
email: salex@uoguelph.ca 
web site: https://sites.google.com/site/smithlabfieldwork/
Twitter: @Alex_Smith_Ants

M. Alex Smith PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Integrative Biology
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
N1G 2W1
phone - 519-824-4120 ex 52007
www.uoguelph.ca/~salex/
sites.google.com/site/smithlabfieldwork/
@Alex_Smith_Ants

Office - SCIE 2464
Lab - SCIE 2409

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" - Charles Darwin

salex@uoguelph.ca