Postdoctoral Associate - Entomology Geneva

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Department of Entomology

Cornell AgriTech, Cornell University, Geneva, NY

Sour rot disease complex

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function

We seek to hire a research and extension oriented postdoctoral associate to join a multi- year project to develop and implement IPM practices for managing the sour rot disease complex in wine grapes. Sour rot disease is caused by a complex of actors including yeast, acetic acid bacteria and Drosophila fruit flies. Damaged berries and high Drosophila populations facilitate the spread of sour rot through vineyards. The sour rot disease complex causes significant economic losses and methods of chemical control for Drosophila risk increasing insecticide resistant populations without significantly decreasing disease severity. Fungicides targeting Botrytis bunch rot are not effective for controlling sour rot since they do not target all causal microorganisms. An integrated approach that quantifies sour rot disease risk based on within-vineyard environmental and management conditions is necessary.

The successful candidate will work with PI Emery and other members of the team to assist NY growers in testing decision-support tools in commercial vineyards, investigating the relationship between Drosophila populations, fruit damage and disease severity and extending actionable management recommendations to all stakeholders. Specific responsibilities will be determined based on candidate's interests and expertise. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands on experience working directly with growers and other stakeholders in research and extension to develop and implement research-based integrated pest management practices.

Anticipated Division of Time

The specific focus of this position will be:

Research on testing best management practices for quantifying sour rot risk and/or disease severity in commercial vineyards (50%): Design and execute field experiments to test/demonstrate and integrate the sour rot decision support tool that is currently in "beta" in commercial vineyards in NY. This will entail working closely with growers and also include monitoring Drosophila, categorizing grape cluster architecture and damage, monitoring weather variation between sites, and estimating economic costs and benefits.

Research on relationships between Drosophila and sour rot severity (20%). Conduct experiments in lab, greenhouse and especially field to clarify the relationship between Drosophila populations and sour rot severity with the aim to develop intervention and control methods thereby reducing the need for using more disruptive conventional chemical control. Work should include integration of different approaches as well as assessing impact on non-target organisms.

Extension to stakeholders (15%): Working with the team, help present results of research on sour rot and Drosophila management and best management practices to stakeholders through presentations, webinars, newsletter articles and other channels.

Research communication (15%): Publish peer-reviewed articles and present at scientific meetings.

Funding is available for an initial 1 year with the potential to extend. The desired start date is in autumn 2025.

Requirements

The position requires a PhD in entomology or related discipline with experience and interest in crop protection, disease modeling, landscape ecology, pest management, chemical ecology as well as working closely with growers and other stakeholders, including conducting on farm research.

Preferred Qualifications: Having experience and interest in conducting field-based research is desirable.

Supervision Exercised: No supervision of others is expected.

To Apply

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30024.

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring salary for this title is $61,008.00

This is a one-year term position, renewable contingent on availability of funds, work and successful performance.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

• Academic Discipline

• Unique applicable skills.

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