- Agency
- Kansas State University
- Location
- Manhattan, KS
- Job Category
- Graduate Assistantships
- Salary
- $25,000 plus tuition waiver
- Start Date
- 01/15/2024
- Last Date to Apply
- 12/01/2023
- Website
- https://kimecolab.com
- Description
- The Kim Lab in the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University is seeking a graduate research assistant to work in the area of pest and beneficial insect management in Urban Food Systems. Students will earn a MS degree in Entomology as well as a graduate certificate in Urban Food Systems. This is a unique opportunity to work with a diverse cohort of faculty and other graduate students to contribute toward more resilient and equitable food systems through transdisciplinary research. In total, GRAs will be hired in the areas of horticulture, economics, entomology, landscape architecture, soil science, computer science, civil engineering, and political science. The successful candidate will work in the Kim Insect Ecology Lab on the main K-State campus in Manhattan, KS and the anticipated start date is in January 2024. The research project aims to understand the ecology and management of insect communities within urban or peri-urban settings, focusing on both pests and beneficial insects. Students will gain valuable research skills such as: designing and executing field and greenhouse experiments, insect identification, collecting and analyzing data, and working with urban farmers. They will also gain experience working on a transdisciplinary project with graduate students and faculty from 14 different departments and 6 colleges, as well as community partners. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in and/or help to deliver the Urban Food Systems Symposium in 2026 in Kansas City. For details about the graduate program in Entomology, visit https://entomology.k-state.edu/, the Kim Insect Ecology lab visit https://kimecolab.com/ or contact Dr. Tania Kim with questions (tkim@ksu.edu). Position Details • The assistantship includes an annual salary stipend and tuition waiver. • The research will be conducted at the K-State Main Campus and nearby research farms (e.g., Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe, Horticultural Student Farm in Manhattan). Research will also be conducted on urban and peri-urban farms in Kansas. • Review of applications will begin Oct 1, 2023 and will remain open until suitable candidate is found.
- Qualifications
- Required skills and qualifications: • Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree in entomology, agriculture, biology, ecology, or a related discipline from an accredited institution. • Individuals must show initiative, motivation, and work well within a group. • Applicants should have good communication skills. • Strong interest in food system research and development. Preferred skills and qualifications: • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). • Experience conducting research (designing experiments, data analysis, scientific writing).
- Contact Person
- Tania Kim
- Contact eMail
- tkim@ksu.edu
