Postdoctoral Fellow in Entomology (Biocontrol), Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

The Department of Botany, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct research in Entomology on Christmas Island. Over the last decade, supercolonies of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes have spread across island rainforest and caused a variety of significant impacts. High ant densities are consistently associated with high densities of exotic, honeydew-secreting scale insects. This project is a key component of a wider program examining the potential for the indirect control of this ant invader through biological control of associated scale insects. Natural enemies of the main honeydew-secreting species Tachardina aurantiaca do not appear to be present on the island, and this project seeks to identify and evaluate natural enemies in the area of origin (south-east Asia) for potential biological control.
We are looking for a well motivated, independent person with a track record of research in entomology and the development of biocontrol. Research experience in the biology of scale insects and their natural enemies would be an advantage. The three-year position will be based on the island (an external territory of Australia), but substantial periods will be spent in Southeast Asia.

A second postdoctoral fellow has already been appointed, and is assessing the dependence of high-density supercolonies of the yellow crazy ant on associated honeydew-secreting scale insects. Both positions are funded by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, through the Director of National Parks.

Please contact Dr Dennis O'Dowd (odowd@sci.monash.edu.au<mailto:odowd@sci.monash.edu.au>) or Dr Peter Green (p.green@latrobe.edu.au<mailto:p.green@latrobe.edu.au>) for further information on the project, and visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au/pc/vacancies/all-vacancies.htm Position no. 50027509 to download the position description and application documentation. Applications are open until 30 October 2009 or until a suitable applicant is found.