Graduate
Position: A community genetics approach to understanding tri-trophic
interactions in agricultural ecosystems.
Supervisors:
Dr David Shuker (University of St Andrews) and Dr Ali Karley (James Hutton
Institute)
A four-year
fully funded PhD studentship is now available in the field of community
genetics, behavour and ecology.
The project
will explore how the behaviour of the parasitic wasp Aphidius ervi is
influenced by the genetics of its host (the potato aphid Macrosiphum
euphorbiae) and also by the genetics of the aphid’s host (the potato Solanum
tuberosum). The reproductive decisions made by parasitic wasps can influence
their success as biological control agents against pests such as aphids. The
project will explore the genetic basis of sex allocation and oviposition in
Aphidius ervi, exploring both within- and between-species genetic effects.
There will also be opportunities to explore the basis of sex determination in
this species, and to develop new behavioural or genetic methods for studying
sex allocation in multi-trophic systems in the lab and the wild. For further
details of the project please visit:
This
studentship opportunity will be co-funded by the BBSRC (as part of the EASTBIO
Doctoral Training Partnership) and the James Hutton Institute. The position
will be filled following a competitive interview process in which the best
candidates applying across a range of different projects will be offered
studentship positions. Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a First
Class Honours degree and/or an excellent postgraduate qualification in a
relevant subject. The project is a collaboration between our lab and Ali Karley
at the JHI. For further details please see the findaphd.com advert or drop Dave
Shuker an email (david.shuker@st-andrews.ac.uk).
Applications
need to be made via the School of Biology’s post-grad recruitment website but I
strongly recommend getting in touch first (providing an up-to-date CV and also
some thoughts on why this project is of interest to you). The application
deadline is 27th January 2014.
***************************************************************
Dr David M Shuker
Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology
School of Biology
University of St Andrews
St Andrews KY16 9TH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1334
463376
Fax: +44 1334
463366