Join the Lab

The Hubbard Urban Entomology Lab (Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Weed Science, New Mexico State University) recruits postdoctoral scholars interested in leading independent, publishable research in behaviorally informed pest management across urban, peri-urban, and veterinary/livestock systems. Our work integrates insect behavior, insecticides/resistance, integrated pest management (IPM), and, when relevant, genetic/genomic tools to solve applied problems with real stakeholders. 

Strong applicants will:

• Demonstrate deep interest in at least one lab focus area (behavior, resistance, IPM, surveillance/monitoring, One Health) 

• Bring a clear research vision that aligns with ongoing projects and strengthens the lab’s portfolio 

• Show evidence of productivity (peer-reviewed papers, strong writing, and follow-through) 

• Be excited to mentor students and contribute to a collaborative lab culture 

• Have (or be eager to build) strong quantitative/data skills and reproducible workflows 

Role & expectations
Postdocs are expected to design and lead projects, publish consistently, contribute to grant writing, mentor trainees, and help build lab systems (SOPs, data management, training). The goal is to leave with a strong publication record and clear next-step career trajectory. 

How to contact / apply
Email me with: (1) a brief statement of your research direction and career goals, (2) your CV, (3) 1–2 writing samples (published papers are great), and (4) a short paragraph describing how you’d extend one current lab project or propose a new one. 

We welcome research scientists and project staff who want to drive applied research programs from concept through execution. These roles are ideal for highly organized, data-driven researchers who enjoy managing field/lab work, coordinating teams, and delivering results to stakeholders. 

Strong applicants will: 

• Have experience running experiments, managing projects, and maintaining high-quality documentation 

• Be comfortable coordinating field and lab work (sampling schedules, supplies, safety, permits, compliance) 

• Maintain clean, reproducible datasets and contribute to analysis and reporting 

• Communicate clearly with collaborators, stakeholders, and students 

• Take ownership of timelines, problem-solving, and quality control 

Role & expectations 
Research scientists often serve as the backbone for design experiments, supervising workflows, training students/technicians, managing data pipelines, assisting with manuscripts and reports, and supporting grants and stakeholder deliverables. 

How to contact / apply 
Email me with: (1) a CV, (2) a brief description of your research/technical strengths, and (3) an example of a project you managed (what you did, outcomes, and tools used). 

Prospective Graduate Students (M.S. & Ph.D.)

The Hubbard Urban Entomology Lab (Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Weed Science, New Mexico State University) recruits motivated M.S. and Ph.D. students interested in behaviorally informed pest management across urban, peri-urban, and veterinary/livestock systems. Our work integrates insect behavior, insecticides and resistance, integrated pest management (IPM), and (when relevant) genetic/genomic tools to solve applied problems with real stakeholders.

Strong applicants will:

• Demonstrate a clear interest in insect behavior, insecticides/resistance, and IPM

• Show they understand our research direction by reviewing our lab’s recent publications/projects and explaining how their interests fit

• Bring curiosity and ideas for questions the lab should pursue (behavior, ecology, monitoring, control tactics, resistance management, or One Health impacts)

• Be excited to work in a collaborative environment that includes field, lab, and data-driven research

Training & expectations in the lab
Students in the lab develop skills in experimental design, field and laboratory methods, quantitative analysis, scientific writing, and professional communication. We value teamwork, good documentation, integrity, and steady progress.

Publication expectations
All graduate students are expected to produce publishable research as part of their degree:

• M.S. students: thesis should yield at least 1 first-author publication (submitted prior to graduation whenever feasible)

• Ph.D. students: dissertation should yield at least 2 first-author publications (submitted prior to graduation whenever feasible)

How to contact / apply
If you are interested, email me with: (1) a brief statement of your research interests and career goals, (2) your CV, and (3) a short paragraph describing two lab papers/projects you read and one research idea you’d like to pursue in the lab.

We recruit undergraduates who want hands-on research experience in insect behavior and applied pest management. Students in the lab can gain experience with insect rearing, field sampling and surveillance, bioassays, data collection, and scientific communication. 

Strong applicants will: 

• Be dependable, curious, and willing to learn new skills 

• Commit to consistent weekly hours during the semester (reliability matters more than total hours) 

• Follow safety and documentation practices 

• Ask good questions 

• Be interested in building skills in data handling, research communication, and teamwork 

What you’ll do 
Undergrads typically start with training and structured tasks (colony work, trap checks, sorting/ID support, data entry, basic assays) and can grow into independent projects over time, including poster presentations and (in some cases) co-authorship. 

How to get involved 
Email me with: (1) your resume (or a short summary of coursework/experience), (2) your weekly availability, (3) what you hope to learn, and (4) one lab project on our website that interests you. 

Send all application materials by email to Dr. Caleb Hubbard at calebh@nmsu.edu with the position type in the subject line (for example, “Graduate Student Inquiry” or “Undergraduate Researcher”). Combine your materials into a single PDF where possible. We review inquiries on a rolling basis and will respond within two weeks. Prospective graduate students should also review the admission requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science at NMSU. Funded positions will be posted here and on the News page as they become available.