Location: Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Institution: University of Kentucky · Department of Entomology · Wilson Lab
Opportunity type: PhD Position
Field: Entomology · Ecology · Biological Control · Insect Pest Management · Urban Ecology
Start: January 2027
Funding: Fully funded assistantship
Deadline: September 18, 2026
APPLICATIONS OPEN
The Wilson Lab at the University of Kentucky is recruiting a PhD student in Entomology to start in Spring 2027.
The research will focus on scale insect ecology, sustainable pest management and biological control in urban trees, with particular emphasis on interactions between agricultural practices, insect pests and natural enemy communities.
The research
The selected student is expected to investigate two main questions:
- How flowering lawn weeds influence biological control of scale insects in urban trees.
- To what extent lawn-applied insecticides translocate into scale insect honeydew in nearby trees, and the resulting effects on natural enemy communities.
Students will also be encouraged to develop their own research projects within the broader themes of the laboratory.
Who can apply?
Ideal candidates should have:
- A Master’s degree in Entomology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Biology or a related field.
- Exceptional candidates with a B.S. degree may also be considered.
- Experience with field-based data collection.
- Experience in scientific writing.
- Experience with statistical analysis.
The position is particularly suited to candidates interested in insect ecology, biological control and sustainable pest management.
Funding & benefits
The selected student will receive an assistantship that fully covers tuition and provides:
- 💰 Competitive stipend
- 🏥 Health insurance
- 🎓 Full tuition coverage
The student will join the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, which includes faculty working across a broad range of entomological disciplines.
Research environment
The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and the Department of Entomology is scheduled to move into a newly constructed Agricultural Research Building in December 2026, providing access to modern research facilities.
The department reports approximately 20 faculty members with expertise across diverse areas of entomology.
Application
Prospective applicants should contact Dr. Caleb Wilson before applying to the graduate school.
Applications should be emailed to:
Subject line:Scale insect grad student application: First name, Last name
Applicants should include:
- Cover letter describing research experience, interests and career goals.
- CV.
- Names and contact information for three professional references.
- Unofficial transcripts for all degrees received or in progress.
Interviews will be conducted as applications are received. Candidates who apply to the University of Kentucky graduate school without first interviewing with Dr. Wilson will not be considered for this position.
Important dates
📅 Application deadline to Dr. Wilson: September 18, 2026
🎓 Graduate school application deadline: December 1, 2026
The selected candidate is expected to begin the PhD in January 2027. Applications received after September 18 may still be considered for an interview.
Why this opportunity stands out
This PhD combines entomology, ecological research, biological control and insecticide exposure in an applied urban-ecology context.
It could be particularly attractive to candidates interested in understanding how pest-management practices affect ecological interactions and natural enemy communities, while developing strong field, statistical and scientific-writing skills.
Official source
Wilson Lab – University of Kentucky
Additional information:
Wilson Lab: https://caleb-j-wilson.com/
University of Kentucky Department of Entomology: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/academics/graduate
Last checked: August 31, 2026
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