Postdoctoral Associate

The newly established urban entomology research lab of Dr. Warren Booth in the Department of Entomology at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is recruiting a 1-year (with possibility of a second-year reappointment) postdoctoral researcher to study insecticide resistance evolution in indoor urban pest insects.

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for the investigation of insecticide resistance evolution in field-derived German cockroach populations through behavioral and high-throughput biochemical assay-based experiments. The main objectives are (i) to quantify resistance levels to insecticide active ingredients, (ii) to investigate the relationship between population size and cross-resistance profiles, and (iii) to collaborate with the lab of Dr. Dini Miller (Virginia Tech) to develop methods for the rapid assessment of resistance levels in field cockroach strains.

The successful candidate will participate in field collection and management of lab strains, experimental design, and will be responsible for data collection, analyses, and the preparation of peer-reviewed first and co-authored publications. Furthermore, the postdoctoral associate may be asked to assist Dr. Booth in writing grant proposals. The candidate will help manage the Booth Lab, including interacting heavily with post-doctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and ordering supplies, etc. The candidate will be expected to present the research at scientific meetings. There will be an opportunity to assist with the development and delivery of courses related to urban evolutionary biology taught by Dr. Booth, if desired.

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter, a C.V., and contact information for 3 references. The cover letter should include a brief description of previous research experience and interest in the position. Informal inquires can be sent to Warren Booth (warrenbooth@vt.edu).