Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Studies Spring Seminar Series

The first presentation of The Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Studies Spring Seminar Series will be on Feb. 14, 2014 in LaTourette Hall 201 at noon. The speakers will be two recruiters from Lab Support, a staffing agency that specializes in the placement of scientists (primarily biologists, chemists and biochemists) into industrial and academic lab positions. Lab Support has offices across the US, Canada and Europe and the recruiters who will be visiting are from the Chicago office. They work with employers who are looking for candidates for entry level positions up to senior hires (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.).

The recruiters plan to give a presentation on important interview skills, preparing effective resumes and what types of positions are available in the market today. Undergraduate and graduate students will be able to meet with the recruiters after the seminar in LaTourette Hall 300. CBBS will offer pizza during the post-seminar gathering. If you plan to attend, please send Dr. Dillon a message at jpd1@columbia.edu so that they  know how much food to order.


The complete listing of speakers for the spring can be found on the website http://www.bios.niu.edu/cbbs/cbbs_seminar.shtml

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Water Quality Outreach Specialist

Water Quality Outreach Specialist

Posting Details


POSTING TEXT

Posting Number20110158
Job TitleWater Quality Outreach Specialist
Grade
ClassificationManagement Staff
FLSAExempt
Rate of PayCommersurate with experience
Type of PositionFull-Time
If Part-Time, specify hours per week
If Part-Time, specify number of weeks
Organizational UnitNGRREC-Administration
Position Reports To (Title)Executive Director
Purpose of PositionUnder the direction of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) work with the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) to develop an extension and technology transfer program on nutrient and related water quality issues to inform community decision makers, policy makers and resource managers in the Mississippi river basin and Gulf of Mexico. Work closely with IISG personnel, faculty and staff from the University of Illinois, NGRREC, and appropriate state and federal agencies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The following are duties that are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
• Work with scientists and agency officials to identify data, models and outreach products necessary to inform science, policy and management that impacts water quality in the Mississippi river basin and Gulf of Mexico;
• Participate with a team of scientists and outreach professionals to coordinate development and refinement of a data-to-knowledge web portal modeled after the Great Lakes Monitoring portal (www.greatlakesmonitoring.org);
• Work with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications in development of the architectures and technologies for supporting automated data extraction interfaces with highly visual decision-making support tools;
• Work with scientists and agency officials to identify the source, transport and combination Best Management Practices (BMP’s) most likely to reduce nutrient losses in selected watersheds;
• Identify key audiences and conduct applied research and needs assessments necessary to identify barriers to implementing BMP’s, land use changes, or policies to reduce nutrients and sediment loads in the Mississippi River;
• Work with federal, state and local agencies to design and deliver innovative science-based programs and data products necessary to inform research, policy and management decisions;
• Design and develop local outreach programming that empowers clients to interpret and apply science-based information to local decisions involving nutrient reduction strategies and other water quality practices;
• Deliver educational programs that support the mission of the University of Illinois, IISG, and NGRREC specifically in the areas of water quality
• As appropriate, develop financial resources to support programs through grant writing and sponsorships.
Minimum Qualifications:Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
SKILLS REQUIRED
To be considered, candidates will have a PhD or masters with equivalent experience in some aspect of water quality.
• At least three years practical work experience on hypoxia issues, nutrient management, agricultural best management practices, point source nutrient reduction, urban non-point source nutrient reduction or related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating, conducting or developing outreach programs.
• Strong oral, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Ability to work independently; function in interdepartmental and interagency teams, and to work effectively with clients and scientists.
• Leadership ability and experience including the ability to facilitate meetings with a broad range of stakeholders and experience collaboratively solving problems with community decision-makers, governmental agency personnel, natural resource managers, scientists, special interest groups, and the public.
• Travel is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Open Date01/15/2014
Close Date03/16/2014
Open Until FilledNo
Special Instructions to ApplicantsPartners and Position Background
The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center is a partnership of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Lewis and Clark Community College. This position is a 12-month, 100% time position working as an outreach specialist located in Urbana, Illinois. The position may also be issued a 0% University of Illinois Extension appointment.
Application Deadline: Applications should be received by March 16, 2014. The screening and interview process will begin shortly thereafter and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.
EEO StatementLewis & Clark Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, LCCC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. It is also the policy of the College to prohibit any form of harassment based on an individual’s protected status, such as gender, color, race, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation or other protected group status as defined by law. If interested, please contact the Human Resource Department, Erickson Hall – Room 107.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • Public Job Posting
    • Internal Job Posting
    • Agency Referral
    • Advertisement/Publication
    • Personal Referral
    • Web site
    • Other
  2. * What is the highest level of education attained?
    • GED
    • High School Diploma
    • Associates Degree
    • Bachelors Degree
    • Masters Degree
    • PHD
  3. * How many years of experience do you have in ...?
    • Less than 1 year
    • 1 to 3 years
    • 3 to 5 years
    • 5 to 7 years
    • More than 7 years
  4. * Are you a SUR's annuitant?
    • Yes
    • No
  5. * Are you an affected SUR's annuitant?
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Curriculum Vitae
  4. Letter of Reference 1
  5. Letter of Reference 2
  6. Letter of Reference 3
Optional Documents
  1. Other Document
  2. Transcripts
  3. HR added document

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Alternative Spring Break!


Study Abroad in Indonesia

Join Dr. Shibata from Public Health to travel to Indonesia.

THEME: "Global Health, Environment, & Culture"
OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES: The primary purpose of this program is to provide participants of the program with a unique opportunity to explore a variety of experiences Indonesia has to offer. The participants need to have their own goal that they would like to accomplish. Specific goals will need to be approved by the director of the program prior to the overseas component of this program. Expecting outcomes include that the participants will
• Obtain knowledge of different types of Indonesian environments (e.g. natural, living, and working) that could affect human health by conducting (or participating in) researches and talking with professionals (e.g. medical doctors, nurses, and local government officers).
• Gain various practical skills (e.g. field and lab, data analysis, and social) and understand Indonesian cultures through working with students of Universidad Hasanuddin (UNHAS).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQNFOwldUjI
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NIU-Study-Abroad-in-Indonesia/152539188148284

V3 Internships - Field Technician

V3 is a multidisciplinary firm based in Woodridge, IL that provides professional engineering, construction, and science related services to clients in the Chicagoland region.  They have multiple openings for Field Technicians (Seasonal) this summer.  It is a paid summer position and offers valuable field work experience for students interested in the biological sciences (biology, botany, ecology, forestry, zoology, aquatic ecology, etc.).



Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Internship Opportunities

1.  National Science Foundation supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The National Science Foundation supports many research opportunities for
undergraduates. To search for one in your field of interest, please go to:
http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp

2. Research Internship in Climate and Weather SOARS Program

SOARS is a summer research internship for students interested in the atmospheric
and related sciences at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (Boulder,
CO). The program provides summer research, strong mentoring and community
support.

Students from many disciplines, including meteorology, geography, chemistry,
physics, engineering, mathematics, ecology, and the social sciences are invited
to apply their expertise to understanding the Earths Atmosphere and to use that
understanding to improve life on Earth. In particular, SOARS seeks to involve
students from groups that are historically under-represented in the sciences,
including Black or African-American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic
or Latino, female, first-generation college students and students with
disabilities. SOARS welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students;
students who have experienced, and worked to overcome, educational or economic
disadvantage and/or have personal or family circumstances that may complicate
their continued progress in research careers.

Benefits in the summer include a competitive wage, housing, and travel to/from
Boulder; as well as funding for conferences, undergraduate and graduate
education throughout the year. Application deadline: Feb 1. To apply, please go
to www.soars.ucar.edu 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Harvard Forest - Summer Research Program


The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology is an opportunity for students to participate in 11 weeks of mentored, paid, independent research focusing on the effects of natural and human disturbances on forest ecosystems, including global climate change, hurricanes, forest harvest, changing wildlife dynamics, and invasive species (see 2014 research projects and 2013 student abstracts). Read student experiences from past summers on our blog.

The on-line application system for Summer 2014 is now open. 

2014 Summer Program Dates

Monday, May 26 - Friday, August 8, 2014
Monday, May 26 is Memorial Day and while the University is closed, this is the planned arrival date for students.  Staff will be on-site to greet you.  The program will begin on Tuesday, May 27 at 8:00am.

Benefits

  • Stipend of $5500 for the 11-week session
  • Free furnished housing at Fisher House or Raup House
  • Free full meal plan
  • Travel reimbursement for one round trip to the Forest (federal grant restrictions apply)

Where is the Harvard Forest?

The Harvard Forest is located in the town of Petersham, in Western Massachusetts.

How to Apply

Application Deadline is Friday, February 7, 2014, midnight EST.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014!

We hope this first blog post of the year finds you well.

Field Studies Of Animal Behavior
A 10-day Course for Students, Teachers, Museum Docents, Wildlife Professionals, and Nature Enthusiasts.
Dates: July 5 - 15, 2014
Sponsored by: The Southwestern Research Station Of The American Museum of Natural History. Located in the Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona.
Instructor: Dr. Howard Topoff, Professor Emeritus of Biopsychology, The City University of New York.
The study of animal behavior is by nature interdisciplinary - crossing the boundaries between biology, psychology, and anthropology. It utilizes a combination of laboratory and field science, with strong emphasis on development, ecology, and evolution. Accordingly, it contributes both to our appreciation of human evolution, and to our ability to preserve biological diversity through conservation. 

According to Conservation International, the sky islands of southern Arizona (which include the Chiricahua Mountains) contain some of the richest reservoirs of plant and animal life on earth. It is this outstanding biodiversity that attracts scientists (and their students) from all over the world. During this intensive field course, we will focus on the behavior of a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate species. Emphasis is given to educators, using projects that can be "taken home" and used with students at all levels of science education.  

The course will include a daily multimedia lecture. Although most of the course will be devoted to class projects, we often are able to participate in research being conducted by scientists at the Research Station. We also attend evening seminars given by Station scientists. Indeed, it is the presence of so many scientists (and their students) from around the world that makes this field course so unique!

The course is limited to 15 participants. At the end of the course, the Southwestern Research Station will issue a Certificate of Completion. Cost: $1,020 per person for 10 nights. This includes course tuition ($350) as well as room and 3 meals each day at the Research Station ($670).

To apply: Please send a brief description of your educational status, interests, and professional plans to:  htopoff@mac.com

For additional information about the course including a biography of the instructor, please see the course web site at: http://www.animalbehaviorcourse.com