[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc in plant disease ecology

[Matt Daugherty]

Postdoc – Plant disease ecology
An opening is available for a postdoctoral researcher to study the 
epidemiology of Pierce’s disease in Northern California vineyards. The 
researcher will analyze an extensive dataset of vector and disease records to 
understand the factors driving an ongoing epidemic, then leverage the results 
to develop an epidemiological model to inform management strategies. 
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in ecology, plant pathology, entomology or a 
related field with extensive training in quantitative methods. The ideal 
candidate would have a combination of experience with statistical 
(generalized linear models, hierarchical models, model selection) and 
consumer-resource or epidemiological modeling. Familiarity with spatial 
statistics or geospatial tools is desirable, but not required. The position 
will be 1 1/2 to 2 years in duration, with a preferred start date this 
Summer, and with the potential for being located at UC Riverside or UC 
Berkeley. To apply, send a cover letter, CV, list of professional references, 
and a writing sample to Matt Daugherty (ma...@ucr.edu).

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc in plant disease ecology at Stanford

[Erin Mordecai]

A two year postdoctoral position in ecology is available in the research
lab of Erin Mordecai at Stanford University, with a flexible 2015 start
date. In collaboration with Mordecai, the successful candidate will develop
a project combining empirical and theoretical approaches to explore
questions in plant disease ecology. The research focus is flexible and
those with plant, non-plant, and theoretical backgrounds are encouraged to
apply.



Research in the Mordecai lab focuses on three general questions in disease
ecology: (1) how do pathogens impact their host populations and
communities? (2) how is pathogen diversity maintained, and what are its
consequences for host-pathogen dynamics? and (3) how do host – pathogen
interactions respond to global change? The pathogen impacts on plant
communities projects focus on how generalist pathogens impact the outcome
of competition between host species. The maintenance of pathogen diversity
projects focus on identifying niche and fitness differences that regulate
pathogen coexistence. The pathogen responses to global change projects
focus on how climate and species invasions affect pathogen abundance, and
in turn their impacts on hosts. Ongoing work involves a variety of plant
and non-plant disease systems, and we are currently developing a grass
fungal pathogen system in California. All projects combine empirical
approaches with mathematical models to achieve their aims.



The postdoc will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in California
and elsewhere. Stanford University offers opportunities to interact with
numerous ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and conservation biologists
within the Biology Department and beyond.



To apply, please send a research statement including one to two paragraphs
describing the type of projects of interest, a curriculum vitae, and the
contact information for three references to Erin Mordecai at
emorde...@gmail.com. Please combine all components of the application into
a single file, and include “Postdoc position” in the subject line. Review
of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is
filled.