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Title Postdoctoral position in the Owens laboratory, The Rowland Institute at Harvard

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Rowland Institute at Harvard

Position Description

We (www.owenslab.org) are seeking a curious and motivated post-doctoral researcher to join our ongoing investigation into the ecological costs and evolutionary consequences of insect flight-to-light behavior. The researcher will take primary responsibility for one or more of the following projects, depending on their interests and qualifications:

(i) engineering robust strains of light-attracted, light-indifferent, and light-averse diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) via artificial selection for use in comparative behavioral and genetic analyses;

(ii) leveraging techniques from the fields of behavioral ecology and conservation genomics to quantify past and present levels of selective pressure acting upon light-attracted insects in urban, rural, and historical habitats;

(iii) leveraging techniques from the fields of biomechanics and computer vision to document the wingbeat frequencies and phototactic behaviors of diverse insects under diverse contexts.

Candidates will be expected to plan and lead behavioral experiments; acquire and analyze relevant data; supervise and mentor undergraduate students; prepare and submit peer-reviewed journal articles; and present their work at professional conferences. They will also be encouraged to develop their own ideas within the field and to pursue independent funding opportunities.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an annual salary starting at $66,000. Contracts are for one year, but a total employment of up to 2.5 years is possible with renewal. The earliest available start date is January 2025.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline such as biology (all subfields), environmental science, computer science, or mechanical engineering, and must be comfortable handling insects and conducting field work at night.

Additional Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in one or more of the following areas: ecological (population) modeling, geographic information science, remote sensing, population genetics, comparative genomics, chronobiology, computer vision, flight mechanics, insect rearing, and/or ecological field work.

Special Instructions

We require the following application materials:

1. Curriculum vitae

2. Cover letter describing past, current, and future research interests

3. Contact information for up to three references

This position is open until filled. Letters of reference will only be requested after candidates pass an initial screening.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Dr. Avalon C.S. Owens.

Contact Email [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required 1

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

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