Our work on population genomics of invasive Z. indianus populations in North America is now available on BioRxiv! UR undergraduate Ansleigh Gunter (pictured at left) contributed to some of the analyses in this paper. Check it out here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.20.614190v1

Read about what members of the Erickson lab have been up to this summer  on the URNow website!

Congrats to Camille, who just published her honors thesis work on BioRxiv! Read more about her work on how Z. indianus may get a boost by avoiding parasitoid wasps here: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.09.602257v1

Jillian, Camille, Ansleigh and Michelle graduated as members of the class of 2024 this week--congrats on all of your accomplishments!

Four students from the Erickson lab presented their research at SEPEEG 2023.  Congratulations to Ansleigh, Michelle, Camille, and Jerry for all their hard work and their wonderful presentations!

​Logan Rakes is starting a Masters in Ecology at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.  Best of luck!

Weston Gray recently joined our lab as a new lab manager.  Read more about him here.  Welcome, Weston!

Full time evolutionary genetics lab manager position with benefits (1-2 years)
 
The Erickson lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Richmond (Virginia) seeks to hire a full-time postbaccalaureate lab manager as part of an NIH-funded project to study rapid adaptation in an introduced species of insect, the African Fig Fly (Zaprionus indianus). The project aims to characterize genetic and phenotypic evolution across North American populations following introduction to new environments. The work will integrate field studies, population genetics, and laboratory studies of ecologically relevant traits. The position will consist of roughly 75% research functions (field collections, laboratory experiments to measure fitness-related phenotypes, and data analysis) and 25% lab manager duties (maintaining fly stocks, making fly food, ordering, and other routine lab maintenance). The position will require traveling to orchards in Virginia and out-of-state to conduct field collections of wild fruit flies; applicants should have a drivers’ license and be comfortable working outdoors as well as in the lab. A BS/BA in Biology or a related science, previous research experience (which may include field work, lab work and/or bioinformatics), interest in evolutionary genetics, strong communication skills, excellent organization skills, a willingness to work with undergraduate researchers, and a pleasant attitude are all requirements. Experience with R is strongly preferred. Experience with Drosophila husbandry is favorable but not a requirement. The position includes university benefits with health insurance. While a small amount of remote work may be possible, this position will generally require full-time work on campus at UR or in the field. This position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain more research experience and possibly publications before applying to a graduate program. The position has the possibility to be renewed once for a total of two years.
 
Both the Erickson Lab and Department of Biology value diversity, and the lab is a welcoming and inclusive place to work. We encourage applications from those who identify with groups historically underrepresented in STEM. 
 
Anticipated start date is the week of July 17th or July 24th, 2023.
 
Interested candidates should send a cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position, a CV/resume, and names and contact information for three references to perickso[at]richmond[dot]edu with the subject line “Postbac Application”. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is chosen. Address any questions to Dr. Erickson at the email above.