[IUFRO RG 7.03 FORENT] Postdoctoral position open

*Study on /Xylella fastidiosa/ plant hosts and vectors in Belgium and the influence of specific plant growth conditions on disease development** * *Call for candidates** * In the framework of a Belgian 2-years research project on the potential insect vectors of the four subspecies of /Xylella fastidiosa/, we are looking for a postdoctoral scientist, preferably with a previous experience with /Xylella fastidiosa/, and skilled either in plant pathology or in entomology or both. The work will be based at the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) and the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and start in early 2016. The work will consist in two parts : 1. Survey of potential vectors and search for /X. fastidiosa/ in the insects; analysis of phenology and life history traits. 2. Evaluation of the transmission of the four subspecies of /X. fastidiosa/ to four model plant species by potential insect vector species common in Belgium, under G2Q controlled conditions: contamination of potential vectors using infected periwinkle; attempts to contaminate model host plants using artificially contaminated vector insects; detection and quantification of /X. fastidiosa/ in the insect vectors; if possible, sentinel nurseries in contaminated areas. Candidates are invited to contact Prof. Claude Bragard (claude.bragard(a)uclouvain.be) and Prof. Jean-Claude Grégoire (jcgregoi(a)ulb.ac.be) with a motivation letter and a CV. -- Jean-Claude Grégoire Lutte biologique et Ecologie spatiale - LUBIES /Biological Control and Spatial Ecology lab/ Université Libre de Bruxelles CP 160/12 - 50 av. FD Roosevelt 1050 Bruxelles Belgium Tel +32 (0)2 650 31 79 http://lubies.ulb.ac.be/ http://www.agroecologie.be/