PhD/Doktorandenstelle - Biotechnical control of cabbage pests: optimising behavioral manipulations,Hannover,Germany

Beginning January 2012 we are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative person with a Master degree (or equivalent) in Agriculture/Horticulture/Biology with strong interest in Biocontrol. The project is part of the competence network WEGA (WertschöpfungsketteGartenbau - Value Chain Horticulture - http://wega-online.org/). The main aim of the project is to develop and establish biocontrol strategies in field vegetables (cabbage) based on improved natural enemy efficacy and pest disorientation. Main targets will be cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) and the cabbage whitefly (Aleurodes proletella) and two specialised parasitoid species (Diaeretiella rapae and Encarsia tricolor).

The specific tasks of the PhD student at IPP/LUH will be:
- To characterise in the laboratory effects of food resources and volatile signal compounds to enhance efficacy of selected natural enemies
- To evaluate optical stimuli (e.g. Coloured mulches) for affecting host plant settling of selected cabbage pests as well as behaviour of natural enemies
- To investigate the potential of behavioural manipulations for pest control in the fields in combination with mass release of natural enemies
- To combine optical manipulation and use of volatile signal compounds for manipulation of pest densities in field trials
The candidate will be enrolled at Leibniz University Hannover (http://www.uni-hannover.de). He/she will work in collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team from different universities and industrial partners. For more information on IPP please visit the internet (www.ipp.uni-hannover.de). A good background in plant protection / entomology and experience in field studies is most desired. PhD funding is based on 0.5 TV-L E13. Working place is Hannover. The contract is at first limited to two years but an option for a further prolongation for a third year is most likely.
Send your application and CV, including a letter of motivation and two references to: Prof. Hans- Michael Poehling, Institute of Plant Protection and Plant Diseases, Leibniz Universität Hannover,Herrenhäuserstr. 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany. Electronic application (Poehling@ipp.uni-hannover.de) is preferred.

For further information you can contact:
Prof. Dr. Hans-Michael Poehling (poehling@ipp.uni-hannover.de) or Dr. Rainer Meyhöfer (meyhoefer@ipp.uni-hannover.de) phone: ++49/511/7622641