Graduate Research Associate (PhD) in wild honey bee ecology
Position Announcement: We are seeking an exceptional candidate to join the University of Florida’s Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) as a PhD student investigating wild honey bee ecology in South Africa. Headquartered in the Entomology and Nematology Department, the PhD student will join a dynamic team of bee-enthusiasts dedicated to honey bee husbandry and ecology.
Location: Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL, 32611
Contact and Supervisor: Dr. Jamie Ellis, Gahan Endowed Professor of Entomology (jdellis@ufl.edu)
Start date: 1 January 2025
Salary: $33,000 stipend per year + graduate tuition and health benefits (tuition and health benefits valued at >$18,000 per year)
Project Description: Despite the importance of honey bees to agriculture, we know very little about honey bee contributions to healthy ecosystems where they are native. The successful candidate will study the contributions that wild honey bees make to natural ecosystems in South Africa. This research will be part of a larger effort to define the global importance of honey bees. The designated research area in South Africa lies within the native range of honey bees and affords the successful candidate an opportunity to investigate honey bee impacts in natural ecosystems. Potential research questions include: (1) What plant species rely most on the pollination services that honey bees provide? (2) What animal species utilize or consume the plant species linked to honey bee pollination? (3) How would a precipitous decline in honey bee populations affect the plants and animals reliant on them? The successful candidate will be allowed to develop additional research questions of ecological importance. This is a fieldwork heavy project and will require yearly trips to South Africa from the UF HBREL in Gainesville, FL, USA.
Qualifications:
Basic eligibility requirements:
B.S. in biology, entomology, ecology, or other related discipline
Demonstrated proficiency of general laboratory and field practices
Ability to work independently and with others
Excellent critical thinking skills
The candidate must be comfortable working in the field, self-motivated, and have a passion for research scholarship.
The candidate cannot be allergic to honey bee stings.
Preferred eligibility requirements:
M.S. in biology, entomology, ecology, or other related discipline
Experience working with honey bees or as a beekeeper
Strong statistical skills
Strong ecology background
Experience publishing peer-reviewed articles
Grant writing experience
Significant field experience
Why work with us: The University of Florida HBREL is a leader in honey bee research, extension, and education. The mission of the HBREL is to advance understanding of honey bees in Florida, the U.S., and globally, with the goal of improving the health and productivity of honey bee colonies everywhere. Our team addresses this goal by conducting basic and applied research with managed and wild honey bees, communicating our findings to assorted clientele groups through diverse extension programming, and training future generations of bee educators, researchers, conservationists, and more. The University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department is the #1 ranked entomology department in the world. Students in our laboratory are given the opportunity to publish refereed manuscripts, write grants, travel to professional meetings domestically and internationally, mentor other students, and engage in the HBREL’s many extension initiatives. Students graduating from our program are equipped to excel in a dynamic discipline and positioned for professional and personal fulfillment.
Work schedule: Graduate research assistantships have a 0.5 full time equivalent (FTE) requirement. This means that the student will work up to 20 hours/week on tasks assigned by Dr. Jamie Ellis (with most assigned work being relevant to the dissertation topic or professional development activities) and additional hours at the student’s discretion (usually 20+) to complete degree requirements (courses, dissertation research, etc.). The field research component in South Africa may require evening and weekend work under inclement conditions.
Applications: A review of applications will begin on 26 August 2024 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following documents to Chris Oster at honeybee@ifas.ufl.edu.
1) Statement of interest in the topic and in working in the Ellis laboratory
2) Curriculum vitae
3) Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
4) Contact information for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation on the applicant’s behalf
Please write “Graduate PhD Application – wild honey bee ecology” in the email subject heading. Email submission of complete application is required for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please email Dr. Jamie Ellis (jdellis@ufl.edu) with any questions regarding the position.
The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.
