MS and PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantships at the University of Northern Colorado

Description: One PhD and one MS Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) are available in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) starting in fall 2019. We are seeking highly motivated students who are interested in working on complex interactions involving plants, mycorrhizal fungi and insects. More details about projects can be discussed with interested candidates. Students awarded a teaching assistantship are generally supported (during fall and spring semesters) contingent on successful teaching and progress in the program. The compensation for this position includes stipends of $14,853 (MS) and $17,081 (PhD) for 9 months, and a full waiver of up to 10 credit hours of tuition per semester (GTA). In addition, summer funding opportunities are available on a competitive basis.

Qualifications: Please review the requirements for admission to UNC: https://www.unco.edu/graduate-school/ and the School of Biological Sciences:
https://www.unco.edu/nhs/biology/programs/graduate/ms-thesis/
https://www.unco.edu/nhs/biology/programs/graduate/phd/

If you are qualified and interested in pursuing either an MS degree in Biological Sciences or a PhD degree in Biological Education, please send the following items to Dr. Karen Gomez (Karen.Gomez@unco.edu) for initial review: (a) cover letter discussing interest in our research, applicable experience, and goals for undertaking a graduate program, (b) official or unofficial undergraduate transcripts (GPA≥3.0), (c) resume or CV, (d) GRE scores, and (e) name and e-mail of three professional references.

Applicants must have a BS or MS degree in Biology with an emphasis in plant sciences, or other related disciplines. A working knowledge of plant biology, entomology and/or mycology are sought, and experience in the laboratory and greenhouse/growth chamber, are required. Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills are essential.

Review of applicants will begin immediately, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Summer Research Experiences at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Our program has three tracks which target students at different points in their education. The tracks differ in the degree of independence students experience when conducting research. We encourage students of all backgrounds and with varying levels of experience to apply to each of the tracks. We review applications, choose a group of students that comprises a diverse mix, and place students in the program that best fits their experience. Fifteen to twenty students will be in each independent research track.  In addition, a few research interns will be accepted.  All three programs run concurrently during the ten-week session from June 8 -August 16, 2018.

Full-time Independent Research  (with Senior Thesis Option) – 10 credits.
This program targets students who wish to conduct a full-time independent research project in field biology. Applicants may be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program, graduates of an undergraduate program, or may be early in their graduate career. Students conduct independent research under the supervision of RMBL scientists.

Independent Research and Course – 8 credits for independent research and 2 credits for the course.
This program targets students who are relatively new to field biology as well as those who wish to receive additional background training in a particular area. Students conduct independent research under the supervision of RMBL scientists (75-80% time) while taking one of two field courses (20-25% time). Class size is limited to 12 students/course. There are a substantial number of full and partial scholarships, so financial need should not stop students from applying. Students will receive various levels of support, depending upon the strength of the application and financial need. Courses offered during summer 2018:

• Methods in Field Ecology
• Research Training in Wildlife Biology

Research Internship – No credit.
This track targets students who are new to field biology and wish to gain experience conducting research in the field.  Research interns will be a research assistant with a mentor and labgroup for 35 hours per week.  Interns will participate in RMBL Educational enrichment activities, including discussions and seminars, for 5 hours per week.  Scholarships, but not REU awards, are available to Research Interns.

REU Awards
This summer, pending 2018 NSF funding, approximately 10 students will be accepted with REU Awards. Students receiving an REU award may participate in either full-time independent research or independent research/course, as described above. Students accepted through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program receive a $5,000 stipend, free room, board and travel. REU awards are restricted to students who are not only citizens or permanent residents of the United States, but also have not graduated from college before the dates of the program.  Minorities underrepresented in the biological sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information or to apply please visit: http://www.rmbl.org/students/undergraduates-beyond/summer-education-programreu/

Application deadline: February 15, 2018.

National Institute of Standards and Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

The NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program sponsors  a 11-week summer internship program for undergraduate students enrolled at U.S. 2-year and 4-year institutions majoring in chemistry, computer science, engineering, materials science, fire research, nanotechnology, information technology, mathematics, biology, manufacturing, statistics, or other STEM discipline.

The program provides students with hands-on research experience under the mentorship of a NIST scientist or engineer in Boulder, CO or Gaithersburg, MD. Students can work on projects in any one of the seven NIST facilities:

• Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology
• Communications Technology Laboratory
• Engineering Laboratory
• Information Technology Laboratory
• Material Measurement Laboratory
• NIST Center for Neutron Research
• Physical Measurement Laboratory

Citizenship Requirements

The program is open to United States citizens or U.S. permanent residents only.

International students are not eligible to apply to the SURF Program.

Classification Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduates in U.S. Colleges or Universities as of the application deadline date. Successful applicants must make arrangements to receive their fellowship and stipend funds from their educational institutions.

Note: Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents and enrolled in universities outside the United States, are not eligible to apply to the SURF Program.

Academic Requirements

Students must have a G.P.A. of 3.0/4.0 or better (recommended), and are considering pursuing a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.). Students with physics, material science, chemistry, applied mathematics, computer science, or engineering majors are always encouraged to apply. There may be research opportunities for students with other majors.

For more information, please visit: https://www.nist.gov/surf/surf-gaithersburg/overview

Application

NIST Application Deadline: February 15, 2017

***Note: Your university deadline could be earlier

Applications consist of a student component and university component:

Student Component - Students must complete the following application components and submit to the university contact for inclusion in the institution application.

• Application Checklist
• Student application information form
• Resume (example resume )
• Transcript - Please submit unofficial transcripts only.
• Two letters of recommendation - Please request the letters from individuals who are knowledgeable about your academic achievements and research experience. Feel free to ask your professors (current and past), research mentors, or internship supervisors. 
• Letter of intent or personal statement : The letter should contain information that helps the review committee make an informed decision about the student, such as why the student wishes to participate in the SURF program in Gaithersburg, Maryland and what areas of NIST research interest the student. (example personal statement )
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency: Proof includes a copy of an unexpired U.S. Passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or unexpired green card. 

University Component - The institutional representative completes the proposal and financial forms and submits them with the student application via Grants.Gov. 

• Federal Forms - SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, CD-511, and SF-LLL (optional)  (see instructions)
• Proposal - Provides background information about the academic institution such as degree programs, university accolades, and the names/description of students nominating to participate in the program. (see sample proposal )
• Submits Items 1 and 2 in addition to the student application component via Grants.Gov.

For JMU the contact person for the University Component is: 

James Madison University

Office of Sponsored Programs

E-MAIL: jmu_grants@jmu.edu