The Vargo lab in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University has two openings for PhD positions to study molecular ecology and phylogenomics of social insects and possibly other urban arthropod pests. The Vargo lab (http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/) is a dynamic research group housed in the Rollins Urban and Structural Facility, a state of the art research and training facility. Our research focuses on population genetics and colony breeding structure of urban insect pests, primarily termites and ants. Research topics in the lab include the invasion biology of termites, ants, bed bugs and cockroaches using phylogenomic approaches, causes and consequences of colony breeding structure in ants and termites, the genetic and behavioral basis of disease immunity in social insects, and management of urban pests.
Interested applicants should send a C.V., a brief statement about research interests, (unofficial) transcripts and contact information for three references to ed.vargo@tamu.edu. Starting date is Summer 2021.
