Postdoctoral position (plant ecology, agronomy & pollination ecology) at the University Of Calgary, Canada
We are looking for a motivated PhD, within 5 years of their degree, to join our pollination ecology team as a postdoctoral fellow, whose research will broadly examine how bee pollination affects production of commercial canola. This postdoctoral fellow will have a background in plant ecology, plant physiology, agronomy, and/or pollination ecology. The research will involve a series of greenhouse and field experiments that examine the mechanisms and outcomes underlying how amount and timing of pollination interact with other factors (particularly conspecific density and availability of water and nitrogen) to affect yield in canola. The successful candidate is also encouraged to explore novel directions in this research program. The work is relevant to ecology, particularly in examining correlates of investment in floral structures, and pollinator-mediated strategies of allocation in annual plants that face trade-offs between growth and reproduction in a limited season. The work is equally relevant to agronomy, particularly in exploring the parameter space in which use of managed pollinators can optimize costs of canola production. This research is a collaboration between four research groups in Alberta: Dr. Ralph Cartar (University of Calgary), Dr. Neil Harker (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada), Dr. Shelley Hoover (Alberta Forestry & Agriculture), and Dr. Steve Pernal (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada). Location: The position is in Dr. Ralph Cartar’s lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary (bio.ucalgary.ca/bio_info/profiles/ralph-cartar), an institution with particular research strengths in pollination and pollinator ecology. The successful candidate will spend 8 months (Aug 2016 to March 2017) involved with greenhouse experiments at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Lethbridge, Alberta, three months (June to August) in each of 2017 and 2018 involved with field trials at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Beaverlodge, Alberta, and the remaining time (i.e., ~1.5 years) situated at the University of Calgary, a dynamic and young research institution. Period of support: 2.5 years; Salary: CAN $46,000 per annum; Start date: 1 Aug 2016 For full consideration, apply by 15 Jun 2016 (Applications will continue after this date until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants) To apply: Send cover letter, CV and names of 3 references to Ralph Cartar (car...@ucalgary.ca)