Current Vacancies:
PLEASE NOTE, THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NEW ZEALAND TIME, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS AHEAD OF EUROPE AND 16 HOURS AHEAD OF EDT IN THE US.
Postdoc position on the evolution of pest and pathogen resistance.
We have a postdoc position available to work in the lab of Jason Tylianakis at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, working in collaboration with Anna-Liisa Laine at Helsinki University in Finland.
Who we're looking for:
We are looking for an ecologist/entomologist/evolutionary biologist to address fundamental and applied questions on the evolution of resistance to natural enemies. The work will combine laboratory experiments to explore mechanisms (with a Drosophila-parasitoid system) and analyses of large host-parasitoid and plant-pathogen network datasets to scale up to community patterns. Experience with either or both of these techniques would be an advantage.
Familiarity with the community ecology and evolution literature and strong analysis/programming skills are essential.
For our group's previous relevant work on this topic, see:
The Tylianakis lab has a strong focus on understanding the impacts of environmental change on ecological communities. Our labs are diverse and interdisciplinary in thought and approach. The lab group strives to cultivate an open, safe and supportive environment that values creativity, diversity, integrity and collaboration. We would therefore welcome applications from under-represented groups.
Position details:
How to apply:
Applications must be submitted through the Apply button on the university portal here. Please DO NOT email applications (though you may email with queries).
The closing date for this position is: 29 March 2026 (midnight, NZ time). Ideally we would like the successful candidate to begin by June 2026.
Who we're looking for:
We are looking for an ecologist/entomologist/evolutionary biologist to address fundamental and applied questions on the evolution of resistance to natural enemies. The work will combine laboratory experiments to explore mechanisms (with a Drosophila-parasitoid system) and analyses of large host-parasitoid and plant-pathogen network datasets to scale up to community patterns. Experience with either or both of these techniques would be an advantage.
Familiarity with the community ecology and evolution literature and strong analysis/programming skills are essential.
For our group's previous relevant work on this topic, see:
- Laine & Tylianakis (2024) The coevolutionary consequences of biodiversity change, Trends Ecol Evol (link)
- Maia et al (in revision) Historical interactions moderate species' fitness response to environmental change. (link)
- Casanovas et al (2018) Asymmetry in reproduction strategies drives evolution of resistance in biological control systems. Plos One (link).
- Tylianakis & Maia (2020) The patchwork of evolutionary landscapes. Nat Ecol Evol (link).
- Frost et al (2016) Apparent competition drives community-wide parasitism rates and changes in host abundance across ecosystem boundaries. Nat Commun (link).
- Tomasetto et al (2017) Intensified agriculture favors evolved resistance to biological control. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. (link).
The Tylianakis lab has a strong focus on understanding the impacts of environmental change on ecological communities. Our labs are diverse and interdisciplinary in thought and approach. The lab group strives to cultivate an open, safe and supportive environment that values creativity, diversity, integrity and collaboration. We would therefore welcome applications from under-represented groups.
Position details:
- Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
- Fixed term (3 years) position
- Salary range up to $96,114.82 NZD p.a.
How to apply:
Applications must be submitted through the Apply button on the university portal here. Please DO NOT email applications (though you may email with queries).
The closing date for this position is: 29 March 2026 (midnight, NZ time). Ideally we would like the successful candidate to begin by June 2026.