Biology DepartmentUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst

Full Time Faculty Position
Institute of Applied Life Sciences

The Human Magnetic Resonance Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is scheduled to open in April 2016. As part of a $95 million investment in the new Institute of Applied Life Sciences, the Center will house a state-of-the-art Siemens Skyra 3T magnetic resonance system. We invite applications from Ph.D.-level scientists for a tenured position in a department in the College of Natural Sciences at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor to serve as director for this new MR Center. The start date for the position is September 1, 2016.

The new hire will collaborate with IALS faculty and industry scientists, and provide essential training for the next generation of scientists. IALS and UMass Amherst are committed to the development of translational research programs and to fostering interactions with industry. IALS will fill a number of faculty positions at both senior and junior level over the next two years. IALS has recently made major investments in campus infrastructure and core facilities and is also partnering with the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center.

Click here for position details.

Applicants should submit a current CV, research statement, and contact information for three references:
https://umass.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=66077

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on January 6, 2016. The search will continue until the position is filled. IALS and UMass Amherst are strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the faculty, student body, and curriculum.

For questions about the position, contact search committee co-chair John McCarthy at jmccarthy@grad.umass.edu

Tobias Baskin led the eighth Workshop on Scientific Writing sponsored by the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, and held this year on Dec. 8-9, 2015 at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Guangzhou, China.

Scientific papers, which act as the central means of communication for researchers in connection with their community, are essential for the progress of scientific development. Indeed, the value of clear and effective communication within the scientific community through the dialogue of scientific journals has never been more apparent as local Chinese research and publications are increasingly cited on an international scale. However, in considering research aimed at international journals, reviewers are also becoming more and more concerned with not only the high quality of the submission's scientific content, but also the quality of its writing. As the competition increases, to secure publication in a high-ranking journal only the most succinct, language-sufficient, and logically crafted articles will suffice.

To match the demand, the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology (JIPB) and Agro-biological Gene Research Center of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GDAAS) jointly held a workshop on scientific writing as a part of a series of workshops held by JIPB. Baskin outlined the guidelines for scientific writing and helped the audience to gain insight into the lengthy process of scientific paper writing, and help teach students how to plan and prepare accordingly.

The workshop was attended by more than 100 young scientists, from all over China.

Postdoctoral Opportunity:
Integrative Ecological Physiology of Avian Migration

The Gerson lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a highly qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate to pursue lab, wind tunnel, & field based projects investigating the ecological physiology of avian migration.

This is a benefited, full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position. Initial appointment is for one year; reappointment beyond the first year is contingent upon availability of funding and job performance.

The Gerson lab takes an integrative approach to understanding the challenges of migration in birds. Through investigation at multiple levels of organization, from the cellular level to the community level, we aim to better understand the mechanistic basis, flexibility, and limitations of the physiological response of birds to environmental challenges encountered during migration.

The chosen candidate will have the opportunity to investigate the environmental and evolutionary physiology of lean mass dynamics during migration in birds. This project will investigate flight and refueling physiology of migratory birds in response to environmental conditions in order to better understand the costs and benefits of lean mass dynamics during migration.

Qualified candidates are required to have the following qualifications:

• A PhD in Biology or related field (ie., organismal, ecological, or environmental physiology)
• Experience with animal energetics, animal physiology, field and lab experience, tissue level physiology, molecular biology, transcriptomics, or animal husbandry.
• Candidate must be available to work extended hours while conducting experiments.
• Excellent problem solving skills, the ability and willingness to lead and organize a large research effort, and will work productively and enthusiastically with others. Although based in Amherst MA, up to 3 months will be spent each fall in London, Ontario, Canada.

The priority application deadline is January 4, 2016, and the position will remain open until filled. Candidates should anticipate a start date of January-February 2016. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Alex Gerson at argerson@bio.umass.edu for more information. Competitive salaries and benefits offered in accordance with UMass policies.

To apply: Candidates must apply online by submitting a cover letter outlining your qualifications, CV, and the contact details of three references willing to provide letters of recommendation to:

URL: umass.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=66977

More information on Dr. Gerson’s research including project descriptions and links to related papers can be found at www.alexandergerson.com

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. 

A talented basketball player at his former college, Orett transferred to study biological sciences in hope of one day becoming a doctor.
Even if you're not a science major, there's so many things out here for you. There's probably one class that would change your mind, just like me in high school. I'm not sure how many schools in America where you're able to do research on what you want to do and be with someone you want to be inspired to be in 10 years. And I think that's one of the greatest advantages about UMass. My name is Orett Burke Jr, class of 2017. I stand for dream-chasing and I stand for UMass.

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Jennifer Olins '17 Junior biology major Jennifer Olins has been a research assistant in Associate Professor Samuel Hazen’s regulatory genomics lab since she enrolled at the University in September 2013. She is one of a few talented students admitted into the campus’s competitive First-Year Research Experience program and the Biology Talent Advanced Program (BioTAP). Since joining the Hazen group, Olins has been awarded two competitive Commonwealth College Research Assistant Fellowships and received honorable mention for her application to the American Society of Plant Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.

During her time in lab, Olins has become an independent scientist executing her own experiments. Highly skilled at the bench, she has mastered a number of scientific techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and yeast and bacteria genetic transformation. When Olins expressed a strong desire to learn microscopy, Hazen had her do so by having her conduct an experiment he needed for an article to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. “The outcome was excellent,” says Hazen, “and because of her contribution Jenny is now recognized as a co-author on the article.”

Hazen was also impressed with Olins when the student that was performing many of the laboratory managerial duties recently departed for graduate school and Olins stepped in to fill the void. “Jenny is a clear leader within my group and a dedicated and thoughtful scientist,” says Hazen. “Her academic performance is also extraordinary.”

Olins, will be honored for her achievements at a spring luncheon with the Chancellor.