Seeking an outstanding student to pursue a PhD starting Fall 2016 in the agro-ecology lab with Dr. Megan O'Rourke at Virginia Tech in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The student will join an interdisciplinary team studying a range of ecosystem services on vegetable farms impacted by land-use on and around farms. Entomology will be the emphasis of this position, specifically biological control and pollination. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers and students in fish and wildlife biology and agricultural economics who will work in the same system and will examine land-use and habitat management impacts on bats, birds, deer, and agri-tourism. Project partners include the Nature Conservancy, the Eastern Shore Land Trust, Cooperative Extension, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Required Qualifications: M.S. in entomology, agro-ecology or closely related field; strong statistical abilities and writing skills; ability to work independently; driver’s license; publication track-record strongly preferred. Responsibilities: Summer field work will be based out at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (ESAREC) while the main campus for classes is located in Blacksburg, VA. Student will be responsible for: 1) monitoring establishment of pollinator conservation habitats on ten farms; and 3) designing and conducting pollination and biological control field experiments. Application Process: Please send, as a single file, your cv (including GPA, and GRE scores), copies of university transcripts (unofficial ok), names and contacts of three references, and writing sample showing scientific work to [email protected] with the title “PhD Agroecology Application.” Review of applications will begin immediately with the intent for student to begin PhD program fall 2016.
