1 – Recruiting Postdoctoral Scholar – Integrated Pest Management for Hemp at Dr. Houston Wilson, Dept. Entomology, University of California – Riverside:
Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (near Fresno, CA)
Location: Fresno, CA | Annual Salary: $60,000 – $71,952 | Apply By: 4/17/23
Submit Application via Email to: houston.wilson@ucr.edu
Position Description
The University of California, Riverside, Department of Entomology invites applicants for a full-time postdoctoral scholar position to conduct applied research and extension under the mentorship of Dr. Houston Wilson at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, CA.
This postdoctoral scholar position will lead a project to develop and evaluate integrated pest management (IPM) practices and build an extension network for hemp production in California. This includes the formation of an extension network for hemp growers across the state.
The position will be for a two-year residence with possibility for renewal beyond the initial appointment period. The position will begin in spring/summer 2023, or as soon as possible after that time. Salary ranges from $60,000 to $71,952 annually depending on experience.
Hemp – New Crop in the California Agricultural Landscape
Hemp is a relatively new and important crop in California. Over the past few years many growers have experimented with hemp production. Although there is much excitement, many aspects of hemp production remain unclear, especially management of arthropod pests. In the absence of scientifically-based information on integrated pest management (IPM), hemp growers are at risk of adopting management strategies, such as use of chemical insecticides, that may lead to negative impacts on people and the environment.
That said, many hemp growers are also experimenting with ecologically-based pest management strategies, such as augmentation of natural enemies, habitat diversification and biopesticides. While these practices can be part of a sustainable pest management program, additional information is needed on the optimal use of each strategy in hemp.
Integrated Pest Management and the Hemp Agroecology Network
Here, we propose to form the California Hemp Agroecology Network (HAN) as a partnership between hemp growers, consultants, researchers, and UC Cooperative Extension personnel to collaboratively develop, demonstrate and evaluate ecologically-based integrated pest management practices for hemp. As a knowledge network, the HAN will provide the foundation for a variety of research, extension and grower-to-grower experiential learning opportunities.
In this way, the network will facilitate social learning amongst stakeholders, and this has been proven to increase adoption of sustainable agriculture practices across multiple cropping systems. This project will focus on four geographical regions where hemp is grown, this includes the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast and Southern California.
Postdoctoral Scholar – Roles and Responsibilities
The purpose of this postdoctoral scholar position is to (1) help carry out laboratory and field experiments to evaluate integrated pest management practices for hemp, as well as (2) facilitate the development of this extension network for hemp growers in California. Potential focal areas for research include natural enemy augmentation, habitat diversification for conservation biological control and/or the evaluation of chemical controls. In addition to this, more basic work is also needed to develop appropriate monitoring strategies and economic thresholds for arthropod pests of hemp.
The final candidate will primarily help design, implement and analyze a series of laboratory and field experiments in one or more of these focal areas, as well as support on-going outreach and extension efforts to communicate all findings to the California hemp industry, as well as to the scientific community at the regional, national and international level.
Location and Affiliation
While the postdoctoral scholar will be a member of Dr. Houston Wilson’s laboratory, they will be expected to work collaboratively with all hemp project PIs, which include Dr. Annemiek Schilder (UC Cooperative Extension, website here), Sarah Light.
Dr. Punya Nachappa (Colorado State University and Dr. Govinda Shrestha (Oregon State University, Dr. Wilson’s lab is based at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, CA (map here).
Qualifications
Applicants should be recent recipients of a doctoral degree (or anticipated recipient in spring 2023), with demonstrated interest and publication ability in agricultural entomology, ecology and/or insect biology. They should be experts in statistical analysis of ecological and biological datasets (including generalized linear mixed-effects models with non-Gaussian distributions) in R and other appropriate software.
While expertise in geographic information systems (GIS) is preferred, it is not necessarily required. The academic record must have demonstrated capacity to work independently and lead the development and publication of research results. Experience working with orchard or other crop production systems, prior coursework on agronomic details of crop production systems, and/or experience communicating with growers about technical details of their production systems is strongly preferred.
Interest in landscape ecology, insect dispersal, organic agriculture, and/or cooperative extension is preferred but not required. The position is open with respect to academic discipline, and could include entomology, agroecology, biology or other appropriate natural science training.
Application Process
Please notify Dr. Houston Wilson (houston.wilson@ucr.edu) as soon as possible if you intend to apply, and send full applications electronically to houston.wilson@ucr.edu by April 17, 2023. Applications received by this date will be given first consideration, although we will continue to accept applications after that date.
Applications should include a CV, letter describing research interests and background as applied to this project, examples of any relevant publications, and contact information for three references. Top candidates will be interviewed by Zoom or phone with possibility of a campus visit, and asked to supply letters of reference. For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Houston Wilson, Asst. Cooperative Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology at Houston.wilson@ucr.edu.
2 – Recruiting Postdoctoral Scholar – Sterile Insect Technique in Orchards at Dr. Houston Wilson, Dept. Entomology, University of California – Riverside:
Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (near Fresno, CA)
Location: Fresno, CA | Annual Salary: $60,000 – $71,952 | Apply By: 4/17/23
Submit Application via Email to: houston.wilson@ucr.edu
Position Description
The University of California, Riverside, Department of Entomology invites applicants for a full-time post-doctoral scholar position to conduct applied research and extension under the mentorship of Dr. Houston Wilson at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, CA This postdoctoral scholar position will assist with an on-going project to develop sterile insect technique (SIT) for navel orangeworm (Pyralidae: Amyelois transitella) in California pistachio, almond and walnut orchards.
The position will be for a two-year residence with possibility for renewal beyond the initial appointment. The position will begin in spring/summer 2023, or as soon as possible after that time. Salary ranges from $60,000 to $71,952 annually depending on experience.
Navel Orangeworm, Primary Pest of California Tree Nuts
Almonds, pistachios and walnuts are extensively planted and highly valuable crops in California, which is the leading agricultural economy in the United States. There are currently just over 1.8 million acres of these tree nut orchards in the state, which generate an annual farm-gate value of approximately $9.3 billion. Within the California agricultural matrix, these three tree nut crops account for approximately 17-18% of both total planted cropland and agricultural value generated in the state annually.
Navel orangeworm (NOW) is the primary pest of tree nuts. Adults oviposit onto the nuts and the larvae feed directly on the nut kernels. This not only reduces crop yield and quality, but NOW infestation has also been associated with the presence of the fungus Aspergillus flavus that can produce aflatoxin, a known human carcinogen that is heavily regulated in key markets.
As such, tree nut growers have very little tolerance for NOW infestation and typically aim to keep infestation at <2%. NOW overwinter as larvae/pupae in remnant nuts that were not harvested. As such, crop sanitation is primary component of NOW management, along with mating disruption, well-timed insecticide applications and timely harvest.
Development of Sterile Insect Technique for Navel Orangeworm
Recently, the California pistachio and almond industries partnered with the USDA APHIS to make use of a mass-rearing and irradiation facility to produce large quantities of sterile NOW. Since this facility was initially developed for another species of Lepidoptera pest, efforts over the past 5 years have focused on how to best retrofit and optimize the current production, irradiation, transport and release process to best accommodate navel orangeworm.
The goal of this project is to develop use of SIT for NOW as a complimentary practice to the other integrated pest management (IPM) strategies mentioned above. A recent article in The National Nut Grower (link here) provides an overview of the current program.
Postdoctoral Scholar – Roles and Responsibilities
The purpose of this postdoctoral scholar position is to help carry out laboratory and field experiments associated with this effort to develop SIT for NOW. Potential focal areas for research include mass-rearing, handling and sterilization procedures, as well as transportation, release methods and field performance of sterile NOW. In addition to this work directly focused on the sterile moth production chain, more broader efforts are also being carried out to better understand the landscape ecology and dispersal of NOW.
The final candidate will primarily help design, implement and analyze a series of laboratory and field experiments in one or more of these focal areas, as well as support on-going outreach and extension efforts to communicate all findings to the California tree nut industry, as well as to the scientific community at the regional, national and international level.
Location and Affiliation
While the postdoctoral scholar will be a member of Dr. Houston Wilson’s laboratory they will be expected to work collaboratively with all project PIs, which include Dr. Charles Burks (USDA-ARS, lab website), Dr. Joel Siegel (USDA-ARS, lab website) and Dr. Raman Bansal (USDA-ARS, lab website). Dr. Wilson’s lab is based at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, CA.
Qualifications
Applicants should be recent recipients of a doctoral degree (or anticipated recipient in spring 2023), with demonstrated interest and publication ability in agricultural entomology, ecology and/or insect biology. They should be experts in statistical analysis of ecological and biological datasets (including generalized linear mixed-effects models with non-Gaussian distributions) in R and other appropriate software.
While expertise in geographic information systems (GIS) is preferred, it is not necessarily required. The academic record must have demonstrated capacity to work independently and lead the development and publication of research results.
Experience working with orchard or other crop production systems, prior coursework on agronomic details of crop production systems, and/or experience communicating with growers about technical details of their production systems is strongly preferred. Interest in landscape ecology, insect dispersal, organic agriculture, and/or cooperative extension is preferred but not required. The position is open with respect to academic discipline, and could include entomology, agroecology, biology or other appropriate natural science training.
Application Process
Please notify Dr. Houston Wilson (houston.wilson@ucr.edu) as soon as possible if you intend to apply, and send full applications electronically to houston.wilson@ucr.edu by April 17, 2023. Applications received by this date will be given first consideration, although we will continue to accept applications after that date.
Applications should include a CV, letter describing research interests and background as applied to this project, examples of any relevant publications, and contact information for three references. Top candidates will be interviewed by Zoom or phone with possibility of a campus visit, and asked to supply letters of reference. For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Houston Wilson, Asst. Cooperative Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology at Houston.wilson@ucr.edu.
UC Riverside Notifications
UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
University of California COVID-19 Vaccination Program Policy: As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is eight weeks after their first date of employment.