[IUFRO RG 7.03 FORENT] MSc and PhD opportunities in Pretoria, South Africa

Two positions available at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), in association with the Department of Zoology and Entomology, at the University of Pretoria. FABI is a world-class, internationally recognized institute dedicated to understanding and promoting health in native and plantation forests, with a strong focus on insect and fungal ecology, genetics/genomics, systematics and biological control (http://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/). Specific projects can be tailored to student interests and background, but primary focal areas include: 1) understanding population feedbacks between the introduced pine woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) and various native and introduced organisms (including but not limited to: pine weevils, bark beetles, fungi, and baboons), and 2) assessing ecological and evolutionary processes driving insect community overlap between native and exotic trees (e.g, spillover of introduced insects from exotic hosts onto native trees, and host expansion/switching of native fauna onto exotic plantation species). More information is available upon request. Both projects are funded, and include a student bursary to cover University fees and living expenses. Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is a modern city situated in the northern center of the country in the highveld (high elevation savanna). The area is has a moderate climate with wet summers and dry winters, is culturally diverse with 11 official languages (English is the language of choice at FABI, where students come from over 40 countries). The University is located within driving distance of many amazing locations including the Drakensburg Mountains and Kruger National Park, with hiking and biking (together with giraffe, wildebeest and all manner of fascinating biodiversity) within the city limits. PhD students will typically have completed an MSc degree (except under special circumstances). An interest in insect, plant and/or fungal ecology and evolution is essential, as is a working facility with English. Students with a drivers license and field/lab experience preferred. Please send a CV, statement of interest and a short writing sample to Dr. Jeff Garnas (jeff.garnas(a)fabi.up.ac.za).