Natural Resources Job Board

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin on Monday, July 14th, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Start date: Flexible, with Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 possible.

Project description and responsibilities: The selected individual will participate in collaborative research alongside USDA labs and universities to promote best management practices for honey bee colonies and foster a sustainable beekeeping industry. Projects will be primarily focused on applied honey bee research looking to help solve problems for commercial beekeepers. Examples of possible projects include evaluating new products or combinations of existing products in the field to control Varroa mites, investigating resistance to different Varroa treatments, or understanding the impact of surrounding landscapes on colony health. Due to North Dakota being the number one honey producing state housing numerous commercial beekeepers, projects will be primarily geared towards alleviating issues commercial beekeepers are facing on a large scale. 

Projects will be catered to the interests and experience of the selected individual, as well as the needs of the beekeeping community. The selected individual is also expected to take on a leadership role. This will include designing experiments, mentoring project personnel, and communicating results to stakeholders. Numerous opportunities will exist for working with commercial beekeepers and developing scientific as well as apiculture skills and experience. Publication of results in quality peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as beekeeper-focused publications is expected. Furthermore, the individual will be required to contribute to the collegial atmosphere of the Bee Lab, including through participation in collaborative research, guest lecturing, and public outreach.

Duration: Two and four years for M.S. and Ph.D. programs, respectively.

Salary range and other benefits: Starting salary of $23,000 and $25,000 for M.S. and Ph.D. programs, respectively, with opportunities for advancement depending on performance. The individual will be assigned a Graduate Research Assistant position that includes a full tuition waiver.

Required qualifications: An undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Entomology, Horticulture, or related field from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent institution abroad is required to begin either program. The selected individual must meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time of appointment. 

Desired qualifications: Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an ability to be punctual and pro-active with basic researching knowledge. Additionally, experience contributing to honey bee health research, as well as demonstrating key beekeeping management techniques, is ideal; however, finding an individual that is hard-working and collaborative is most important.

Application description: Complete applications must include: 1) one-page cover letter that addresses your experiences and goals with respect to this position as well as how you meet the required and desired qualifications; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) contact information for three references; and 4) copies of all post-secondary transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine).

Application submission: All materials should be compiled as a single PDF document and submitted to Dr. Rogan Tokach (rogan.tokach@ndsu.edu). Please include ‘Graduate Student Opportunity’ in the email subject line.

The University: A Carnegie R1 university, North Dakota State is a public flagship land-grant institution with a student enrollment of 12,000. The University performs graduate research and public service across a variety of program areas. The University is located in Fargo, the largest city in North Dakota along the banks of the Red River in Southeastern ND just miles away from Minnesota. The university is located in close driving distance to larger metropolitan areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN and Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

The School: The School of Natural Resource Sciences is housed within the University’s College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. This is a multi-disciplinary unit that explores areas of Entomology, Natural Resources Management, Range Science, and Soil Science. Additional information can be found at https://www.ndsu.edu/snrs/. 

The Laboratory: The Tokach Lab was just founded and currently consists of one faculty member. Dr. Tokach is a recent graduate of Auburn University where his work focused on developing parasitic mite management strategies for beekeepers working with Varroa and Tropilaelaps mites. He aims to work alongside collaborators from across the globe to promote the health of bees through various research, instruction, and extension activities.