"Post-Doctoral Associate"

About the Job

Lab Overview: The Insect Biodiversity and Evolution lab focuses on studying the ecological and evolutionary drivers of diversity in the hyper-diverse arthropod clade Coleoptera (beetles). Our research includes multidisciplinary approaches encompassing phylogenomics, morphology, ecological, and distributional data.

The Insect Biodiversity and Evolution lab does interdisciplinary research to contribute to the discovery of biodiversity while addressing fundamental questions in ecology and evolution. Specifically, we are interested in understanding the diversification patterns of insects resulting from processes such as isolation (e.g., geographic, and ecological) which often leads to restricted distributions and differentiation. We also seek to uncover the causes and consequences of trophic specialization and the evolution of new phenotypes in highly specialized clades, such as saproxylophagous (wood-feeding) lineages like bess beetles (Coleoptera, Passalidae).

Position Overview: This is a 100% time, 12 month Post-Doctoral Associate position working with Assistant Professor Cristian Beza-Beza in the Insect Biodiversity and Evolution lab on the “Passalidae Tree of Life Project” in the Department of Entomology. A successful candidate for this position is expected to address questions related to the origins of the unique fauna of bess beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae) found in the Caribbean islands and Mesoamerica. The work encompasses field studies, molecular systematics, and integration of biodiversity data.

Responsibilities:

• Perform research on systematics, phylogenetics, and biodiversity of Passalidae (70%)
• Publication of peer reviewed articles (25%)
• Lab management activities and mentoring lab members (5%)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Entomology, Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in insect taxonomy, phylogenetics.
• Fieldwork and collection-based experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of peer reviewed publications
• Demonstrated experience working with the family Passalidae
• Experience with phylogenomics; next-gen sequencing data collection and analyses.
• Experience in working with biodiversity at a global scale.

About the Department

The Department of Entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is located on the St Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. It is composed of 16 faculty and 40 staff engaged in research, teaching, and extension related to biodiversity and systematics, ecology, physiology, neurobiology, and functional genomics of diverse insects and other invertebrates, including pollinators, mosquitoes and ticks, and management of pests in residential, commercial/industrial, agricultural, forested, and urban landscapes.

The Department of Entomology is home to the University of Minnesota Insect Collection, one of the largest university-affiliated insect collections in North America with over 4 million specimens, representing more than 53,000 described species. The Department of Entomology offers a graduate program in Entomology (MS and PhD) and an undergraduate minor in Insect Science minor. These programs provide entomological training for students at the University of Minnesota interested in learning about insects and their associations with humans.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $62,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.