Postdoctoral Research Associate

Available Title(s):

306-NN_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The WSU Honey Bee Research Program is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on research exploring honeybee pest management using biopesticides. Metarhizium is a sporulating soil fungus used worldwide as pest biocontrol agents for their entomopathogenic properties. Varroa mite is a major pest of honey bees and are detrimental to honey bee health and primarily cause colony collapse. Chemical miticides raised concerns about human and pollinator health hazards and adverse environmental impacts. Therefore, beekeeping community actively seeks biopesticides as an alternative solution. This project aims to investigate the potential of a Metarhizium isolate as a biopesticide to control varroa mites in honey bee colonies. We also aim to select new strains of Metarhizium, more tolerant to higher hive temperature and can effectively kill Varroa mites. Our study will also provide crucial information on how this microbial biopesticide might improve directly honey bee health. This project aligns with advancing applied research of sustainable management of honey bees pests and provide cost-effective and eco-friendly biocontrol strategies.

This project also involves close collaboration with researchers, extension agents, and commercial beekeeping operations located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. The successful applicant will work alongside beekeepers, industry members, and multidisciplinary researchers to gather data on honey bee health over space and time. The candidate will be responsible for project coordination, data collection, management and analysis, and communicating with sponsoring agencies. In addition to the pest management project, the candidate will also assist with data analysis and preparation of publications relating to other projects involving beekeeping practices (Varroa management, indoor storage of honey bee colonies, etc.), and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students in the program.

Required Qualifications:

• Must hold a PhD degree in a field of entomology, ecology, molecular biology, or other related field.

• The applicant must have at least one year beekeeping experience, including queen inspection, pest sample collection, and colony health assessment.

• The applicant must have demonstrated data management and analytical abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience overseeing research throughout all stages, from experimental design through publication of findings

• Published peer-reviewed articles, scientific reports, and scientific communication

• Demonstrated grantsmanship

• Experience in molecular biology and microbial techniques (Ideal candidates will have experience performing molecular laboratory techniques and/or experience researching honey bees (For example, qPCR, microscopy, microbial strain maintenance and selection, RNAi, or other laboratory techniques useful for studies of pests and/or pathogens and the insect immune system are beneficial.

• They will be proficient in statistics and the scientific publication process.

• Must have or be able to obtain a valid driver's license by time of hire

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