Some thoughts for graduate students and new professors
Graduate Students: Here are three papers my graduate students have found useful.
Beginning Professors: For those just leaving my lab (or any lab) and launching into their first tenure track job, here is a great list of pointers for starting professors, compiled by George Gilchrist.
Joining the Tewksbury Lab
In general...
If you are interested in joining the Tewkslab in any capacity, but particularly as a graduate student, it is nice to know a bit about what I am looking for and expect. First and foremost, I am looking for exceptionally motivated people who are passionate about ecology, evolution, conservation and ready to fully engage in research. I am also looking for people who will interact broadly, both within the lab and with other lab groups and professors in the department. I did not become a scientist to work in isolation, and I am looking for students who share a spirit of interaction and collaboration. In our group we value independent critical thought, candid discussion of all aspects of science, rigorous experimental work, and creative approaches to scientific problems. In evaluating potential graduate students, I am less concerned with grades or courses than I am with demonstrated independent thinking, project follow-through, creativity, and energy. The same applies to other folks interested in joining the lab.
Potential Graduate Students
Availability: My lab is full this year, so i will not be taking any new grad students starting fall 2010.
Projects and Funding: I expect students to develop their own projects. Students are welcome to work on the same systems I do, but they are expected develop independent research questions (with support, but not too much interference, from me). I enjoy interacting and working with my students, and will offer whatever help I can (financial and intellectual), but my primary goal is to help them develop into, and succeed as, independent, creative scientists.
Funding: Students in my lab may be funded through fellowships, grants, RAs off of my grants, or TAs. Regardless, I expect students to take an active role in attaining their own funding. I work collaboratively to attain funding for students, but I believe the process of writing strong grant proposals forces us to think and write clearly, define our ideas, and support our statements.
Next steps: First, read over some of the advice above, look over my researh, and check out the work of current and past students (and feel free to contact these folks to get their hit on my lab). Next, please contact me and tell me what research questions you are interested in, and why. Please include a copy of your CV.
Field Technician positions
Field Technician positions I am always looking for
great field technicains for work on connectivity in South Carolina, Bird Loss in the Mariana Islands,
or chilies in Bolivia. Specific openings will be posted below.
No active postings (check back here)
Work-study positions
We are ALWAYS looking for one motivated work-study student to assist with a series of experiments related to plant chemical ecology and plant-animal interactions. The positions will pay $10 - $12 per hour, and we are looking for individuals who are interested in taking part in diverse research fields for at least one full academic year. To determine if you are elegible for work-study, please check here.
If you are interested in applying, please contact Cat Adams at damzilindisdress@gmail.com.
Research Credit and Volunteer Research
I have a number of projects appropriate for students interested in conducting collaborative research for credit, or on a volunteer basis. We are seeking only exceptionally motivated students for research opportunitites. Research credit in the Tewksbury lab requires commitment to the research, and involves presenting your findings to the lab group.