Project 1 summary: The Northern Great Plains is a leading producer of organic small grain, pulse, and oilseed crops; but management options are limited by highly variable precipitation and easily eroded soils. This area also has strong potential for low-input organic sheep production, but access to sources of grazing and feed represents a challenge for ranchers. This project evaluates replacing tillage with targeted sheep grazing to terminate legume cover crops, manage crop residues, and reduce weed, insect, and pathogen pressures. We are recruiting candidates for a PhD position that will focus on understanding the biological and environmental factors conditioning the spread and impact of common diseases as well as approaches to mitigate them.
Project 2 summary: In the western Great Plains Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV), Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV), and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) are serious diseases of winter wheat transmitted by the same mite vector, the wheat curl mite. Management of these mite-transmitted diseases relies upon understanding abiotic and biotic factors that drive survival and spread of the vector and pathogen as there are no chemical controls options and multiple non-crop species can serve as reservoirs for vector/virus. Although managing green bridge hosts and planting dates are important tools to mitigate disease risk, the effect of environmental and biological variables on mite and virus population dynamics is inadequately understood; negatively impacting the potential for successful incorporation of these management tools. We are recruiting candidates for one PhD and one Post-Doctoral position to quantify risk of disease incidence and severity factors across the biological and environmental variability seen in the Great Plains. Results will improve our understanding on the factors conditioning the spread and impact of vector-transmitted cereal viruses as well as approaches to mitigate them. Location: Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. MSU is one of the top mid-sized research institutions located in the heart of the Big Sky country. Bozeman was ranked 5th on Outside magazine’s “40 Best College Towns” and the surrounding area offers access to Yellowstone NP and some of the best fly-fishing, hiking, rafting, and skiing in America. For more details visit http://www.montana.edu/wwwnss/thebest.shtml. Successful candidates will be members of a vibrant, interdisciplinary team of researchers on plant pathology and agro-ecology. Candidates must hold an appropriate degree in ecology, agroecology, or plant pathology. Excellent work ethic, team player, and proficiency in English language (written and oral) are required. Submit 1) Name of the position to which you are applying, 2) Letter of application describing career goals and research interests, 3) Resume, transcripts, and 4) Names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of three references. GRE and TOEFL scores (if required) are mandatory. Electronic applications are accepted. Applications should be sent to: Dr. Fabian Menalled. [email protected]. (406) 994-4783
