Field/lab assistants needed

Role of natural habitat in the occurrence of a lethal grapevine disease in
northern California
Dr. Kendra Baumgartner, USDA-ARS and Dr. Sarah Greenleaf, UC-Davis

Pierce’s disease is a lethal grapevine disease. It is caused by a
bacterium that is vectored by sharpshooters, which are xylem-feeding
insects. Past research on the spatial patterns of Pierce’s disease has
uncovered surprising results, suggesting that riparian woodland is a
source of the disease but only when large amounts of nearby natural
habitat have been lost. To determine why these patterns exist, we will be
answering many questions this year. Is loss of natural habitat and
expansion of vineyard and urban land associated with more Pierce’s
disease? If so, why? What are the epidemiological and ecological
mechanisms behind these spatial patterns? Which plants are hosts for the
vector and pathogen and what are their traits (invasive? weedy? rare?) Is
greater wild plant diversity and/or forest complexity associated with
smaller vector and pathogen populations? Which insects parasitize the
vector?

Location Research conducted at UC-Davis and nearby, in the famous
vineyards and threatened natural habitats of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino
Counties. We return to Davis at the end of each day.
Starting date: Several full-time positions are available from 7/10/06
through 9/1/06. An additional full-time position is available from 9/2/06
through 10/13/06, and a third full-time position (or two positions half-
time) is available from 9/2/06 through 11/21/06. Dates may be somewhat
flexible.Salary Will be $320 to $480 per week, depending on experience and
responsibilities. We estimate approximately 40h per week on average, but
there will be periods of intense work and intervening breaks.

Job Description and Requirements
We seek highly motivated individuals with an interest in entomology,
botany, ecology, or plant pathology. Assistants will work with a team of
2-3 others on diverse tasks. There is some flexibility and room for focus
on particular areas.
• Surveys of riparian plant communities
• Surveys of adult and immature blue-green sharpshooters
(Cicadellidae)
• Real-time PCR
• Surveys for Pierce’s disease of grapevines
• Surveys for blue-green sharpshooter natural enemies
• GIS/GPS

Preferences for those working in biology, and with some experience in
Botany or Entomology (not required). Researchers should be prepared to
work outside in both agricultural fields and natural areas; field data
collection requires willingness to work outside under hot summer
conditions, to walk on steep terrain, and to walk short distances through
dense vegetation.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, short resume or CV listing relevant
experience, list of courses taken (official transcripts not necessary),
and names and contacts of two references (either academic or
professional). To Dr. Sarah Greenleaf
Dept. of Plant Pathology; University of California-Davis; One Shields Ave;
Davis, CA 95616
Email: sgreenleaf@ucdavis.edu; tel: (530) 902-1714); email applications
encouraged:

If you have any questions about project details etc., please call or email
me. I am happy to talk with you.
Salary Will be $320 to $480 per week, depending on experience and
responsibilities. We estimate approximately 40h per week on average, but
there will be periods of intense work and intervening breaks.

Job Description and Requirements
We seek highly motivated individuals with an interest in entomology,
botany, ecology, or plant pathology. Assistants will work with a team of
2-3 others on diverse tasks. There is some flexibility and room for focus
on particular areas.
• Surveys of riparian plant communities
• Surveys of adult and immature blue-green sharpshooters
(Cicadellidae)
• Real-time PCR
• Surveys for Pierce’s disease of grapevines
• Surveys for blue-green sharpshooter natural enemies
• GIS/GPS

Preferences for those working in biology, and with some experience in
Botany or Entomology (not required). Researchers should be prepared to
work outside in both agricultural fields and natural areas; field data
collection requires willingness to work outside under hot summer
conditions, to walk on steep terrain, and to walk short distances through
dense vegetation.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, short resume or CV listing relevant
experience, list of courses taken (official transcripts not necessary),
and names and contacts of two references (either academic or
professional). To Dr. Sarah Greenleaf
Dept. of Plant Pathology; University of California-Davis; One Shields Ave;
Davis, CA 95616
Email: sgreenleaf@ucdavis.edu; tel: (530) 902-1714); email applications
encouraged:

If you have any questions about project details etc., please call or email
me. I am happy to talk with you.