Graduate Research Assistant, University of Hawaii, Manoa

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Hawaii, Manoa

Organization/Grantor: University of Hawaii, Manoa

Position/Title/Fund: Graduate Research Assistant - Climate Change, Pest Dynamics, and Agroforestry Resilience

Type/Term: Half-time, 11-month term, beginning August 24, 2026, possible extension.

This research examines: (i) how climate change may alter pest incidence, distribution, and severity in agroforestry systems across Hawaiʻi and the U.S.

-Affiliated Pacific Islands, and (ii) how these changes may affect the consumable yield, and nutritional and metabolomic characteristics of culturally and economically important food tree crops. Climate variables may include drought, temperature, rainfall variability, and others, and will be derived from the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal datasets.

Selected crop-pest systems may include breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) with Queensland longhorned beetle (Acalolepta aesthetica), and Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus); avocado (Persea americana) with avocado lace bug (Pseudacysta perseae); and papaya (Carica papaya) and citrus spp. (Citrus spp.) with oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), and melon fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae). Scale insects (superfamily Coccoidea) and mealybugs (family Pseudococcidae) may also be considered across crop systems where relevant.

The project will utilize field sampling and/or nursery trials alongside multi-omics approaches and analytical tools associated with the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) to assess how pest pressure influences metabolomic characteristics. Nutritional composition may be assessed in collaboration with the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC).

Findings from this work will support climate-informed agroforestry planning and adaptation strategies for Pacific food production systems. Applied outputs will include peer-reviewed science publications; and extension products including publications, pest and climate risk maps, and decision-support resources for producers, land managers, and regional partners. The project will also contribute to broader resilience efforts associated with the USDA Forest Service, USDA Southwest Climate Hub, and collaborating institutions across the Pacific region (e.g. PDKE, RISCC, and others).

Open to incoming and accepted graduate students, and those who have not yet applied.

Degree Level: Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Management

• Compile and analyze climate datasets from the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal and/or related regional climate resources.
• Develop ecological niche models for pest populations and distributions under projected climate scenarios.
• Conduct field sampling and/or nursery trials assessing pest impacts on agroforestry cropping systems.
• Collect and process samples for nutritional and metabolomic analyses associated with PTFI and USDA BHNRC.
• Assist with laboratory coordination and preparation of samples for multi-omics analyses and associated analytical workflows.
• Liaise across project partners, including UHM, PTFI, USDA Climate Hub, and USDA Forest Service, for coordination of sample processing.
• Submit publications for peer review in appropriate science journals.
• Develop extension materials, including factsheets, information pamphlets, and bulletins.
• Participate in collaboration and coordination with regional partners, producers, researchers, and agencies associated with climate resilience initiatives.
• Present research findings at lab meetings, conferences, workshops, and extension events.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, reports, and grant-related deliverables associated with the project.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in agroecology, agroforestry, plant science, entomology, ecology, environmental science, natural resources management, biology, nutrition, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Admission to, or eligibility for admission to, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management M.S. graduate degree program at the University of Hawaiʻi ase see note about application timeline questions in the position header.
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