[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Opportunity at Virginia Tech

[David Haak]

Honey bee-microbiome-parasite interactions
Postdoctoral Position at Virginia Tech

An NSF-funded postdoctoral position is available in the labs of Dr. Lisa Belden 
(Dept. of Biological Sciences) and Dr. David Haak (School of Plant and 
Environmental Sciences) at Virginia Tech. The candidate will investigate 
interactions between honey bees, their gut microbiome and Nosema parasites in a 
systems biology context.  Additional collaborators include Dr. Rick Fell in the 
Dept. of Entomology, Dr. T.M. Murali in the Dept. of Computer Science and Dr. 
Jenifer Walke at Eastern Washington University.  The incumbent will be 
responsible for conducting experiments with honey bees, isolating and culturing 
bacteria, and completing molecular work to quantify Nosema infection and prep 
samples for next-generation sequencing (metagenomics and metatranscriptomics).  
Opportunities will also be available to work on the analysis of the ‘-omics’ 
data and mathematical models, and to assist in outreach to local schools that 
will involve building and using Raspberry Pi clusters. Mentoring of graduate 
and undergraduate students will be expected as part of the collaborative team.  
Funding is available for 3 years, pending annual performance review. 

 

Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in biology, ecology, evolutionary 
biology, or a related field; strong oral and written communication skills; the 
ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team; and 
a demonstrated ability to publish peer-reviewed publications. Candidates with a 
background in disease ecology, community ecology, or microbial ecology will be 
given preference. Having some experience with bees is also preferred.  

 

Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and statement of 
interest online at www.jobs.vt.edu <https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/>.jobs.vt.edu 
<https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/> (posting # SR0180170), along with contact 
information for three professional references. If you have any questions 
regarding this position, please contact the search chair, Dr. Lisa Belden, at 
bel...@vt.edu <mailto:bel...@vt.edu>. 

 

Review of applications will begin November 1, 2018 and continue until the 
position is filled. The proposed start date is negotiable, but could be as 
early as February, 2019. Virginia Tech is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative 
Action Institution. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in 
the application process should notify the search chair by the review start 
date.  

 

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Virginia Tech Director School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

[David Haak]

Director of the School of Plant and Environmental Science at Virginia Tech

Applications are invited for the position of Founding Director of the School of 
Plant and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life 
Sciences at Virginia Tech. Moving through final approval stages, the School of 
Plant and Environmental Sciences will be a national and international leader 
for improving human well-being and quality of life through learning, discovery 
and engagement in plant and environmental sciences. The School’s faculty will 
integrate fundamental discovery as well as applied science to enhance plant and 
soil health, protect water resources and quality, improve food security, design 
intelligent human landscapes, and promote environmental stewardship. The School 
will integrate three outstanding departments that share certain mission 
elements: Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Horticulture, and Plant 
Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. These units already share 
cross-cutting interdisciplinary research, and will be further connected through 
undergraduate curricula and linked graduate programs, as well as through 
statewide research, Extension and Outreach activities. The School will 
initially consist of 86 affiliated faculty, 64 staff, and over 100 graduate 
students, and will have over $8 M in annual research expenditures. The School 
will provide an unparalleled opportunity for interdisciplinary research in the 
food, energy, water nexus as part of a new University focus on Global Systems 
Science.
The director will provide leadership for the design and implementation of the 
curricula, infrastructure, and new hires for the School. The responsibilities 
of the Director will be to provide strategic leadership and vision for the 
School, effectively oversee administrative, fiscal and human resource matters, 
advocate with external stakeholders, and pursue development opportunities. In 
addition to those core responsibilities, the Director will actively conduct 
impactful scholarship within the School’s mission. The individual will be hired 
at full Professor rank, with the expectation of tenure.

Applicants must apply online (https://listings.jobs.vt.edu 
, use posting # TR0170012).  When applying for 
this position, please include in the online application a Curriculum vitae, a 
cover letter summarizing leadership philosophy and vision for the position, 
along with the names of three references who may be contacted. Inquiries 
concerning the position or application process should be directed to Dr. Glenda 
Gillaspy (gilla...@vt.edu ).  Applications received by 
March 15, 2017, will receive full consideration, but applications will be 
accepted until the position is filled.


Glenda Gillaspy
Professor and Head, Biochemistry
Virginia Tech

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Virginia Tech tenure-track position in Plant Sciences

[David Haak]

The Department of Biological Sciences (https://www.biol.vt.edu 
<https://www.biol.vt.edu/>) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a 
tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Plant Sciences starting in the 
Fall 2016 semester. Candidates are sought who use contemporary molecular and 
genomics tools to address fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions in 
plant systems. Candidates with a research focus on interactions between plants 
and abiotic or biotic factors will be of particular interest. 

Preference will be given to applicants with research areas that complement 
existing strength in Molecular Biology and Ecology/Evolution in the Department 
and the Translational Plant Sciences (TPS) interdepartmental research and 
graduate program (http://www.molplantsci.org.vt.edu 
<http://www.molplantsci.org.vt.edu/>). The successful applicant will have the 
opportunity to participate in The Global Change Center 
(http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/ <http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/>). The 
Department and the Virginia Tech campus provide excellent research and support 
facilities for molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and 
bioinformatics including the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute 
(https://www.vbi.vt.edu/ <https://www.vbi.vt.edu/>).

The successful candidate should have the potential to develop and maintain an 
extramurally-funded independent research program, a commitment to research and 
teaching excellence, and a demonstrated interest in collaborative research. 
Applicants must have earned a doctorate in Biology or a related field and 
preference will be given to individuals with post-doctoral research experience. 

For additional information and to submit an application, go to 
www.hr.vt.edu/employment/ (posting #TR0150127) 
<https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/postings/60390>  Virginia Tech has a strong 
commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion. In that spirit, we 
seek a diverse candidate pool including women, minorities, veterans, 
first-generation University graduates, and people with disabilities. Questions 
regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Dorothea Tholl, Chair, Plant 
Sciences Search, Department of Biological Sciences, 409 Latham Hall, Virginia 
Tech (0309), Blacksburg, VA 24061, Tel: (540) 231-4567, Email: th...@vt.edu 
<mailto:th...@vt.edu>. Review of applications will begin on October 19, 2015 
and continue until the position is filled.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants 
for admission or employment on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, 
veteran status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or political 
affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact 
the Office for Equity and Access.


David Haak (dhaak at vt dot edu)
Assistant Professor-Ecological Genomics
PPWS Department
211 Latham Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: (540) 231-1186

[ECOLOG-L] Horsenettle seed

[David Haak]

> Hello Ecologers,
> 
> I am embarking on a new project and would like to collect seed from Solanum 
> carolinense (horsenettle) from across it's range.  If you have seed or have 
> seen a fruit you wouldn't mind collecting I would be most greatful.  I don't 
> need many seed or fruit and minimal collection information a brief note about 
> location (either nearest town/city or lat/long).  I am happy to pay for 
> postage or send you a self addressed stamped envelope.
> 
> Many thanks, 
> David
> 
> 
> David Haak, PhD
> Post-Doctoral Fellow
> Department of Biology
> 325 Jordan Hall
> Indiana University
> Bloomington, IN  47405
> 
> dh...@indiana.edu
> http://mypage.iu.edu/dhaak
> 
> 206-913-8472
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>