Postdoctoral Associate

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 53,550 - 65,029; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Urban Evolutionary Entomology Laboratory seeks a postdoctoral associate to study population genomics and urban evolution in pest insects. The role includes experimental design, lab work, bioinformatics, data interpretation, and preparing peer-reviewed publications.

The successful candidate will lead first-author papers, collaborate on grant proposals with Dr. Warren Booth, mentor students, and contribute to teaching and outreach activities within a collaborative lab environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in evolutionary biology or genomics earned within four years prior to appointment.
• Strong background in population genomics and evolutionary biology.
• Experience with molecular laboratory techniques including DNA extraction and PCR.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing data and bioinformatics pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental design, lab work, and data interpretation.
• Prepare and lead first-author publications.
• Collaborate on grant proposals and contribute to manuscript development.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and support lab operations.

Skills

Population genomics

Evolutionary biology

DNA extraction

PCR

Genomic data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in evolutionary biology or related field

Tools

Bioinformatics pipelines

Unix command line

Job description

Job Description

The Urban Evolutionary Entomology Laboratory at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to investigate fundamental questions in population genomics and urban evolution using pest insect systems. Research will focus on understanding the genomic mechanisms underlying lineage establishment, persistence, adaptation, and extinction in highly inbred populations inhabiting urban environments. The successful candidate will address questions at the interface of evolutionary genetics, population genomics, and urban ecology, with broad implications for our understanding of adaptation in anthropogenic ecosystems and the evolution of economically important pest species.

Job Description

The Urban Evolutionary Entomology Laboratory at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to investigate fundamental questions in population genomics and urban evolution using pest insect systems. Research will focus on understanding the genomic mechanisms underlying lineage establishment, persistence, adaptation, and extinction in highly inbred populations inhabiting urban environments. The successful candidate will address questions at the interface of evolutionary genetics, population genomics, and urban ecology, with broad implications for our understanding of adaptation in anthropogenic ecosystems and the evolution of economically important pest species.

Current research themes include insecticide resistance evolution over historic to contemporary time frames, population genomics across socioeconomic landscapes, and the heritability of stress induced epigenetic marks. A variety of next-generation sequencing approaches may be employed, including ddRADseq, whole genome sequencing, targeted sequence capture, and other emerging genomic technologies.

The successful candidate will participate in all aspects of the research program, including experimental design, molecular laboratory work, bioinformatic analyses, data interpretation, and the preparation of peer-reviewed publications. The candidate will be expected to lead first-author publications and contribute to collaborative manuscripts arising from the projects. In addition, the postdoctoral associate will collaborate with Dr. Booth in the development of grant proposals and will have opportunities to contribute to the development of independent research ideas. The candidate will play an active role in laboratory operations, including mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, assisting with project coordination, and fostering a collaborative research environment. The position is designed to support the candidate’s professional development through opportunities in scientific publishing, grant writing, student mentorship, research leadership, scientific outreach, and teaching. Opportunities may also exist to assist the development and delivery of courses related to population and evolutionary genetics, invasive species genomics, and urban evolutionary biology.

Virginia Tech provides a highly collaborative research environment with strengths in genomics, evolutionary biology, ecology, entomology, and computational biology. The successful candidate will have opportunities to interact with scientists across the Department of Entomology, the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, The Invasive Species Collaborative, and other interdisciplinary research programs across the university.

Interested applicants should submit

• A one-page cover letter describing research experience, career goals, and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for 3 references.
  
  

Informal inquiries are welcome and may be directed to Dr. Warren Booth at [e-mail].

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, molecular ecology, genomics, integrative biology, or a closely related discipline, earned no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment, with a minimum of one year of eligibility remaining.

• Strong background in population genomics and evolutionary biology.
• Significant experience with molecular laboratory techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, and genomic library preparation.
• Expertise in next generation sequencing approaches and genomic data analysis.
• Experience with bioinformatic pipelines and command-line computational environments.
• Strong scientific writing and communication skills, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and publication potential.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Research Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: urban evolutionary biology, insect evolutionary biology, demonstrated ability to design and execute independent research projects, insect rearing, student mentoring, scientific outreach and science communication, and contributing to grant proposals.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

53,550-65,029

Hours per week

40 hours a week

Review Date

08/30/2026

Additional Information

Interested applicants should submit

• A one-page cover letter describing research experience, career goals, and interest in the position
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for 3 references.
  
  

Informal inquiries are welcome and may be directed to Dr. Warren Booth at [e-mail].

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Warren Booth at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.