A postdoctoral researcher is needed for a newly funded project on the
effects of seedling pathogens on forest dynamics in the context of
climate warming. Goals of this research are to identify putative
seedling pathogens in a temperate mixed hardwood forest, and determine
how seedling density, distance from conspecific adults, and increased
temperature influence patterns of seedling demography and fungal
community composition.

The postdoc will coordinate a large-scale field project and develop
and implement protocols for DNA-based identification of fungi. She or
he will be based at Duke University and work in the labs of Jim Clark
and Rytas Vilgalys. The project will involve training and supervision
of research technicians, and travel to field sites at Harvard Forest.
The ideal candidate will possess both strong field and molecular
skills and play a role in both the intellectual development of the
project along with management of data collection.

Start date: immediate through 4/1/2010

Salary negotiable

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in ecology, mycology, plant pathology, or related field
• Experience coordinating and managing large-scale field studies
• Strong laboratory and bioinformatics skills, including DNA sequencing and interpretation of sequence data to identify environmental samples
• Experience culturing fungi preferred, but not required

To apply, send a CV, statement of research interests (2 pages max), and contact information for three references by March 21, 2010 to Jim Clark at <jimclark@duke.edu>. Position is available in Spring 2010.

Middle Atlantic States Mycology Conference (MASMC 2010)
The annual Middle Atlantic States Mycology Conference has taken place every spring since 1979. MASMC meetings also coincide with the appearance of many spring fungi including Morchella spp. This meeting provides new students, postdocs, and mycologists the opportunity to present their research findings and obtain inputs from learned colleagues, in a less formal venue than larger national and international meetings. This year’s MASMC and morel foray (go morels!) will be hosted April 9-11 by your friends at North Carolina A&T State University. Registration forms and instructions for presenters are now available on the MASMC 20120 web site (www.fungbiotech.com/masmc2010). Registration is due by March 26. Both oral and poster presentations are welcome. For additional information, please contact: Dr. Omon. S. Isikhuemhen (email: omon@ncat.edu), Natural Resources & Environmental Design Department, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411. We look forward to seeing you in Greensboro this spring!

Omon Isikhuemhen
omon@ncat.edu

PhD graduate assistantship, mushroom science and technology

Four research fellows

Ecologist position at Harvard Forest

Landcare Research is seeking a motivated person to join our fungal systematics team for a 2-year fixed term period, to conduct a molecular study of the plant pathogenic rust fungi of New Zealand.

Applicants must have a PhD with solid experience in fungal molecular techniques including phylogenetic analyses and taxonomy. Knowledge and interest in conducting taxonomic research on rust fungi would also be an advantage.

The molecular study will complement a morphological study, which is currently underway. There are approximately 250 species of rust fungi in New Zealand of which about half are native. The study will provide insights into the origins of the native rusts, help to define species limits, and reveal important details on the life history of native species.

The position is located in our Auckland laboratories, which are situated on the Tamaki Campus of the University of Auckland. It will require some domestic travel to assist in the collecting of fresh specimens.

The position is full-time for a period of two years, beginning early 2010.

Landcare Research is New Zealand’s foremost research institute in the area of fungal systematics, with 10 staff in Auckland working in mycology. Altogether we have around 420 staff in nine locations across New Zealand.

Please apply on-line through our website www.LandcareResearch.co.nz. For further information please contact Eric McKenzie, mckenziee@LandcareResearch.co.nz.

Applications close: 25 January 2010

submitted by Dr. Vladislav Gulis

Refer to http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/hrdhomepage/vacancy/pd962.html for further information on Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs, for complete application instructions, and the full text announcement (RA-10-006-H). Send application materials and references to Dr. James Kolmer, USDA/ARS, Cereal Disease Laboratory, 1551 Lindig Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 or e-mail (jim.kolmer@ars.usda.gov). USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

This position is a 2-year fellowship in the APHIS Science Fellows program. The position may be extended for 2 additional years. The selectee will be entitled to health and life insurance benefits, retirement benefits and leave accrual.

Full application information.

Applications due by Nov 30 2009
US Citizens only

contact: Dr. Mary E. Palm, USDA/APHIS/PPQ/PHP/RIPPS

The project:
Fungal community structure and mycorrhizal function in response to climate change: Effects of warming, elevated CO2 and drought on soil fungal communities and the interaction between plants and their associated mycorrhizal fungi. More information.