DESCRIPTION: One postdoctoral position will be available beginning as soon as March 2010 to work in the lab of Rob Dunn at North Carolina State University. Funding will be partially or fully to work on a project that examines the consequences of experimental manipulation of temperature on ant and more generally litter invertebrate communities and the species interact with and depend on them. The project will include work in twenty-four 5-m diameter open-top experimental chambers (warmed from 1.5 to 6 degrees C above ambient) in the forest understory at Duke and Harvard Forests and/or laboratory-based studies of commensurate levels of warming. Here we invite interested individuals to write 600 word proposals for projects that take advantage of these chambers and other resources in the lab including global and regional datasets on ant assemblages and traits. The project does not necessarily need to focus on or even include ants. Successful projects will take advantage of existing strengths in the lab while also adding new skills or directions. Of particular interest are applications from individuals interested in the mutualists, parasites, pathogens or guests of social organisms, be they macro or microscopic.
RESEARCH GROUP: The position is based in the lab of Rob Dunn (http://www4.ncsu.edu/~rrdunn/). On a day-to-day basis, the successful candidate will interact with three additional postdocs and three students in the Dunn lab, one postdoc at Harvard Forest, as well as two more postdocs and a total of ten graduate students in the broader lab group working in conservation, ecology and biogeography of insects (http://www4.ncsu.edu/~rrdunn/labgroup.html ). In addition, the successful candidate would interact with the other researchers on the project, including Nick Gotelli (University of Vermont), Nathan Sanders (University of Tennessee) and Aaron Ellison (Harvard Forest) through meetings and longer term visits. LOCATION: North Carolina State University. The position is based in the Department of Biology, a large interdisciplinary department with strong links to the research in Biomathematics, Genetics, Entomology and Forestry departments and also to researchers at neighboring Duke and UNC. QUALFICATIONS: The position requires a Ph.D. in microbiology, genetics, ecology, biogeography, evolution or related fields. The applicants CV should indicate evidence of strong scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications. A valid drivers license is required. NC Driver's license required within 60 days of hire. APPLICATION: Applicants must apply online. See http://jobs.ncsu.edu (position # 101485) for instructions and required documentation. A CV, statement of research interests and contact information for three references are required. Proper documentation of identity and employability will be required before the hiring process can be finalized. CONTACT: Prof. Rob Dunn, rob_d...@ncsu.edu PROPOSED HIRE DATE: Job opens 2/10/2010. Applications must be submitted by 3/10/2010 We would ideally like to hire by 4/1/10 such that fieldwork can begin this spring and summer and even earlier start dates are possible. Position appointment will last for one year from starting date, with possibility of renewal for up to two additional years. North Carolina State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who need accommodations in the application process should contact Susan Marschalk, Department of Zoology, via telephone at (919) 515-2741, or via e-mail at susan_marsch...@ncsu.edu
