Natural Sciences
Submitted by Anonymous on April 14, 2008 - 1:36pm.
Picture:  Summary: An international team of researchers led by UC Berkeley biologists has developed a remarkable new roadmap for finding and protecting the best remaining holdouts for thousands of rare species that live only in Madagascar, an island nation considered one of the world's jewels of biodiversity. The new plan not only includes lemurs – those large-eyed, tree-hopping primates that have become poster children for conservation – but also species of ants, butterflies, frogs, geckos and plants.
Submitted by Anonymous on April 3, 2008 - 3:53pm.
Research Interests: We study through atmospheric observations, computer modeling, and laboratory experiments interesting couplings between atmospheric chemistry and climate and their implications for life on earth – from billions of years ago to the near future. We currently have two main foci: Measurements from NASA U2 spyplanes and high altitude balloons, coupled with modeling and analysis, allow us to better quantify the sources and sinks of important direct or indirect greenhouse gases such as CO2, N2O, CH4, and H2 in today's atmosphere. Laboratory experiments simulating the atmospheres of early Earth and Mars allow us to probe whether or not hydrocarbon ("soot") hazes may have provided an additional greenhouse effect or an "antigreenhouse" effect and thereby affected the surface temperatures and the stability of liquid water in the first 2 billion years of these planets' histories.
Department Name: Chemistry, Associate Professor
Submitted by Anonymous on March 31, 2008 - 2:41pm.
Name of Job: Summer Plant Ecology REU at Institute of Arctic Biology Description: We are seeking enthusiastic undergraduates and recent college graduates who are interested in summer field research in Alaska. The overall objective of our research program is to understand the ecosystem and global consequences of potential future changes in arctic vegetation. Successful applicants will assist with fieldwork in our tussock tundra site and laboratory work consisting of tasks such as plant sorting and data entry. In addition, successful applicants will attend weekly seminars on the research at the station, will develop their own individual research projects on a topic related to the program and their own interests, and will present their work at an informal symposium at Toolik Field Station.
The focus of this experiment is to understand the mechanisms by which winter processes affect the summer growth of vegetation, and the consequences of shrub expansion under a warming climate for biogeochemical cycling of C and N. We have set up snowfences in tussock tundra, low shrub tundra, and taller shrub tundra, in order to assess how increased winter snow affects mineralization of N overwinter and growth and recovery from snow-loading of shrubs and other vegetation in the following summer. We labeled plots on both sides of these snowfences with 15N in summer 2006 to see whether additional snow promotes overwinter mineralization of N, and if so, whether shrubs preferentially take up this N. We harvested plant biomass and soils from this experiment in 2007, and will harvest again this coming summer. In addition, we will continue measurements of shrub response to, and recovery from, mechanical loading by snow. This project will improve our understanding of land surface changes currently occurring in the Arctic, and their potential impacts on climate. Successful applicants will be based at Toolik Field Station, north of the Brooks Range in arctic Alaska http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/, which is the focus of research by nearly 100 scientists who work on a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecology projects.
For more information, contact Dr. Syndonia Bret-Harte: syndonia@lter.uaf.edu
There are 2 positions, each of which pays a stipend of $440 per week (before taxes). These positions are open only to US citizens who are currently undergraduates or have graduated after December 2007.
Both positions will begin in June and end in late August of 2008.
Class background in plant ecology, botany, ecosystem ecology, statistics, and computer science would be an advantage. Experience
in field or laboratory, experience with data analysis, and experience working in a remote field site is preferred. You should have skills with plant identification, data collecting and recording, data manipulation in Excel, and data analysis. Applicants must be willing to work in the field, occasionally under adverse weather conditions. Competent, careful, emotionally mature, and enthusiastic people desired! We want the work to be both fun and challenging. We encourage applications from women and minorities. A valid U.S. Driver's license is required, and successful applicants must provide a copy of their social security cards at the time of employment.
You must apply for these jobs on-line. To apply, please go to https://www.uakjobs.com and click on "Create Application" link to select a User Name and Password and to create your application. Then, go to http://www.uakjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=62449.
You need to submit a cover letter that explains why you are interested in the program and how it fits into your long-term >education and career goals. Also, describe your background and include anything that you think would convince us that you are the most appropriate person for this position. You must also submit a C.V. or Resume and the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. If need assistance, please contact UAF Human Resources at 907-474-7700 or stop by:
3295 College Road, Room 108,
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7860 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed noon -1 p.m.).
Applications will be reviewed beginning April 4, 2008.
Submitted by Anonymous on February 28, 2008 - 3:38pm.
Name of opportunity: Nathan and Violet David Scholars Program Description: Mission:
Each year, the Nathan and Violet David Scholars Program gives talented and service-minded students the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research in the sciences. It is the mission of this program to facilitate positive social change by enabling students with promising talent, but financial need to participate in undergraduate research, gain admission to a competitive graduate programs, and thus have the choice to pursue scientific careers at the highest level.
The David Scholars Program now includes a public service component. Through a scientific community outreach program that includes volunteer teaching and mentoring in public schools located in low-income areas, undergraduate David Scholars will create scientific enthusiasm in children from low-income backgrounds who would otherwise not be directly exposed to scientific research. Such "scientific evangelism" may increase the number of future scientists from diverse economic backgrounds.
The Award:
The Nathan and Violet David Scholars Program enables talented undergraduates who demonstrate capability and zeal for science to engage in unpaid laboratory research during the term and over the summer by providing financial assistance so that students do not have to work. Beginning in Spring 2002, three students will be chosen as new David Scholars each year. In addition, scholars receiving the award as juniors will be eligible to apply for the continued support of the NVDF in their senior year.
Program benefits include:
• $6,500 as a summer scholarship to pursue an independent research project in a campus lab. This money will cover the students' summer living costs and pay for expenses associated with application to graduate school.
• $6,000 for the academic year to eliminate or reduce the student's need to work or go more deeply into debt.
• Up to $4,000 will be available for each new scholarship recipient to purchase research supplies, to pay for conference fees, and to travel to and from conferences. Of this money, $2,000 will be allocated for a one-time purchase of a personal computer.
• Up to $2,000 will be available for supplies and expenses for scholars renewing for a second year
• An opportunity to inspire future scientists via teaching and mentoring in local public schools.
• Two events during the year to create community and discuss research.
Submitted by Anonymous on February 20, 2008 - 3:47pm.
Name of Job: Math/Science Student for Project Description: City CarShare, a Bay Area nonprofit, is looking for math/science student for project involving
extrapolation of research findings. Will pay by the hour.
Submitted by Anonymous on December 3, 2007 - 4:41pm.
Picture:  Source: LBNL Research News Summary: In a survey of the northern Basin and Range province of the western United States, geochemists Mack Kennedy of the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Matthijs van Soest of Arizona State University have discovered a new tool for identifying potential geothermal energy resources.
Submitted by Anonymous on October 8, 2007 - 3:09pm.
Description: Objective:
The purpose of these grants is to provide research opportunities for undergraduates in the biological sciences during the academic year,
especially for students whose financial need would make such work difficult on an unpaid basis. The emphasis of this program has been to increase the number of students from underrepresented ethnic groups and women doing research. However, all qualified undergraduates are encouraged to apply and have an equal chance for awards based on ability and drive.
This research program also seeks to enhance interaction among the peer group of undergraduate researchers by encouraging student-run activities to include seminars, research ethics, and career planning sessions. All students working in undergraduate research in the biological sciences are included in these activities.
Grants:
Ten grants of $1500 will be awarded for the semester. These are stipends for research activities, and thus you can also receive course credit for your research. The intent of these awards is to supplement and not replace university or federal grants or scholarships.
Eligibility:
* A laboratory position arranged prior to when you apply for this grant.
* An interest in pursuing a career in some aspect of the biological sciences.
* Some laboratory experience (whether in university coursework or work outside the university).
* Awards in previous summers or semesters do not guarantee an award this year.
* Prior awards also do not disqualify one from receiving a subsequent award.
* Financial need must be justified, and this does not mean that you must now be receiving financial aid.
Submitted by Anonymous on October 3, 2007 - 3:51pm.
Name of Opportunity: National Academies Science and Technology Policy Graduate Program Description: This Graduate Fellowship Program of the National Academies-consisting of the
National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of
Medicine, and National Research Council-is designed to engage graduate
science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business, public policy, and law
students in the analytical process that informs the creation of national
policy-making with a science/technology element. As a result, students
develop basic skills essential to working in the world of science policy.
We are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the
2008 sessions. The program will comprise three 10-week sessions:
Winter: January 7 through March 14
Summer: June 2 through August 8
Fall: September 8 through November 14
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and those who have completed
graduate studies or postdoctoral research within the last 5 years are
eligible to apply.
To apply, candidates should submit an application and request that a
mentor/adviser fill out the online reference form. References can be
received in advance of the application and are good for an indefinite period
of time. Application materials as well as additional program information
are available on the Web.
The deadline for receipt of application material is November 1 for the
winter program, March 1 for the summer program, and June 1 for the fall
program. Candidates may apply to all three programs concurrently.
Questions should be directed to: policyfellows@nas.edu.
Application Deadline: November 1, 2007, March 1, 2008, June 1, 2008
Submitted by cmjones on May 7, 2007 - 1:41pm.
Name: Active Tectonics Research Group Description: Research focusing on problems relating to fault zone processes and crustal deformation. Our approach is interdisciplinary, integrating geodetic, geomorphic, geologic, and seismological observations along with theoretical modeling.
Submitted by cmjones on May 7, 2007 - 1:40pm.
Name: Craig Moritz Research Group Description: To use molecular approaches to study ecology and evolution.
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