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🧬 PhD Graduate Research Assistantship in Scale Insect Ecology & Biocontrol | University of Kentucky
Institution: University of Kentucky – Department of Entomology
Laboratory: Wilson Lab
📍 Location: Lexington, Kentucky, USA
💼 Position: PhD Student / Graduate Research Assistant
🎓 Program: PhD in Entomology
🔬 Research Area: Scale Insect Ecology | Insect Pest Management | Biological Control | Urban Tree Ecology | Environmental Entomology | Natural Enemy Conservation | Insect-Plant Interactions
Start Date: Spring 2027
The Wilson Lab in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky is recruiting a PhD student in Entomology to investigate scale insect ecology and biocontrol in urban trees.
The research focuses on sustainable insect pest management and natural enemy conservation in urban trees, shrubs, and turfgrass. The selected student will have the opportunity to develop their own research projects within the broader research themes of the laboratory.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
Scale Insect Biological Control
Investigate how flowering lawn weeds influence the biological control of scale insects in urban trees and how plant diversity can affect natural enemy communities.
Insecticide Translocation
Study the degree to which lawn-applied insecticides translocate into scale honeydew in nearby trees and examine their resulting effects on natural enemy communities.
Sustainable Pest Management
Contribute to research focused on developing sustainable approaches to insect pest management in urban landscapes.
Urban Tree Ecology
Study interactions between scale insects, urban trees, lawn vegetation, insecticides, and natural enemies to better understand ecological processes affecting pest control.
Field-Based Research
Conduct field-based research and collect ecological data to investigate insect populations, biological control, and natural enemy communities.
🎯 Your Role
The selected PhD researcher will be expected to:
- Conduct research on scale insect ecology and biological control.
- Investigate how flowering lawn weeds affect biological control in urban trees.
- Examine the movement of lawn-applied insecticides into nearby trees.
- Assess the effects of insecticides on natural enemy communities.
- Conduct field-based data collection and ecological observations.
- Perform statistical analysis of research data.
- Develop and pursue independent research projects within the laboratory’s broader research themes.
- Prepare scientific manuscripts and research reports.
- Communicate research findings through scientific writing and presentations.
- Collaborate with researchers and members of the Wilson Lab.
- Contribute to sustainable insect pest management research in urban environments.
🧪 Research Focus
The PhD project will investigate scale insect ecology and biocontrol in urban trees, with an emphasis on sustainable pest management and natural enemy conservation.
The research will address two primary questions:
- How do flowering lawn weeds influence the biological control of scale insects in urban trees?
- To what degree do lawn-applied insecticides translocate into scale honeydew in nearby trees, and what effects do they have on natural enemy communities?
The project combines field ecology, insect ecology, biological control, environmental science, and statistical analysis to understand how urban landscape management practices influence pest and natural enemy communities.
The selected student will also be encouraged to develop their own research projects under the general themes of the Wilson Lab.
👨🔬 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree with a background in Entomology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Biology, or a related field.
- Exceptional candidates with only a B.S. degree may also be considered.
- Prior experience with field-based data collection.
- Experience in scientific writing.
- Experience with statistical analysis.
- Strong interest in insect ecology and sustainable pest management.
- Interest in biological control and natural enemy communities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.
- Strong scientific communication and analytical skills.
⭐ Preferred Research Background
Experience or interest in the following areas would be particularly relevant:
- Entomology
- Insect ecology
- Biological control
- Urban ecology
- Environmental science
- Field-based ecological research
- Statistical analysis
- Scientific writing
- Sustainable pest management
- Insect-plant interactions
💰 Funding & Benefits
Successful students will receive a graduate research assistantship that:
- Fully covers tuition
- Provides a competitive stipend
- Includes health insurance
The position offers the opportunity to conduct research within the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology and work in a productive research environment with broad expertise in entomology.
The Department of Entomology is composed of 20 faculty members with expertise across a wide range of disciplines.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to pursue a PhD in Entomology.
- Fully funded graduate research through an assistantship.
- Hands-on experience in field-based insect ecology research.
- Training in biological control and sustainable pest management.
- Experience studying scale insects and natural enemy communities.
- Development of skills in field data collection and statistical analysis.
- Experience in scientific writing and research communication.
- Opportunity to develop your own research projects.
- Access to research facilities and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.
- Opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary Department of Entomology.
- Experience conducting research with applications to urban pest management and ecological conservation.
💼 Position Details
Position: Graduate Research Assistant / PhD Student
Degree: PhD in Entomology
Institution: University of Kentucky
Department: Department of Entomology
Laboratory: Wilson Lab
Supervisor: Dr. Caleb Wilson
Location: Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Start Date: Spring 2027
Research Area: Scale Insect Ecology | Biological Control | Urban Tree Ecology | Insect Pest Management
Funding: Graduate Research Assistantship
Tuition: Fully Covered
Stipend: Competitive
Health Insurance: Provided
📄 How to Apply
Prospective students should email their application materials to Dr. Caleb Wilson.
Email: c.wilson@uky.edu
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
Applications received after September 18 may still be considered for an interview.
Interviews will be conducted as applications are received, so early applications are encouraged.
Application Subject Line
“Scale insect grad student application: First name, Last name”
Required Documents
- Cover letter describing research experience, interests, and career goals
- CV
- Names and contact information of 3 professional references
- Unofficial transcript for all degrees received or currently in progress
Important: Candidates must interview with Dr. Wilson before applying to the University of Kentucky Graduate School. Candidates who apply to the graduate school without interviewing with Dr. Wilson will not be considered for this position.
Selected candidates will subsequently be required to apply to the University of Kentucky Graduate School by December 1, 2026.
🔗 Additional Information
Wilson Lab: caleb-j-wilson.com
University of Kentucky Department of Entomology Graduate Program: Department of Entomology Graduate Program
📅 Key Dates
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
Interview Process: Applications reviewed as received
Graduate School Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
Program Start: Spring 2027
📌 Job Details
Institution: University of Kentucky
Department: Department of Entomology
Laboratory: Wilson Lab
Position: PhD Student / Graduate Research Assistant
Degree: PhD in Entomology
Location: Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Start Date: Spring 2027
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
Graduate School Deadline: December 1, 2026
Funding: Graduate Research Assistantship
Tuition: Fully Covered
Stipend: Competitive
Health Insurance: Provided
Qualification: Master’s Degree in Entomology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Biology, or Related Field
Exceptional Candidates: B.S. degree holders may be considered
Required Experience: Field-Based Data Collection | Scientific Writing | Statistical Analysis
Research Areas: Scale Insect Ecology | Biological Control | Urban Tree Ecology | Insect Pest Management | Natural Enemy Communities
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: c.wilson@uky.edu
Required Documents: Cover Letter | CV | 3 Professional References | Unofficial Transcript
Interview: Required before applying to the Graduate School
Category
PhD Position | Graduate Research Assistantship | Entomology | Insect Ecology | Biological Control | Ecology | Environmental Science | Pest Management | University Jobs | USA PhD Positions | Fully Funded PhD
🏷️ Tags
#PhD #PhDPosition #GraduateResearch #GraduateAssistantship #UniversityOfKentucky #Entomology #InsectEcology #BiologicalControl #UrbanEcology #PestManagement #EcologyJobs
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