Wildlife Genetics and Bioinformatics Research Assistantships in Germany
The University of California at Santa Cruz Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) program is recruiting upper-division undergraduate students, recent graduates and graduate students for 5-month research assistantships in wildlife genetics and/or bioinformatics beginning in June 2016 at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt in Gelnhausen, Germany.
Project Description
Students will be involved in various aspects of ongoing research projects in the division of Conservation Genetics at the Senckenberg Research Institute (www.senckenberg.de/conservationgenetics). Daily activities will vary depending on fellowship placement, but projects are primarily of two types: 1) wet lab genetics including DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing and high-throughput methods such as SNP genotyping, and 2) computer work to integrate and analyze next-generation sequencing data. Both types of projects will be part of current on-going evolutionary and conservation genetic research focusing on birds and mammals at the Conservation Genetics Group at Senckenberg.
Funding
Funding for these assistantships comes from the MHIRT program funded through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The MHIRT program is designed to increase the number of students belonging to health disparities populations or underrepresented minorities that pursue advanced degrees in basic sciences or biomedical research fields. Travel, food, lodging, and research expenses are completely covered and a personal stipend is provided.
Program Eligibility
- Students must belong to an ethnic minority including, but not limited to, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, or be from underrepresented populations (e.g., socio-economically disadvantaged individuals, rural residents).
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
- Juniors, seniors, recent graduates and graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Students should have completed at least two years of biology and be highly motivated to answer questions in the area of wildlife genetics and evolutionary biology.
- Prior laboratory or bioinformatic (e.g., scripting in Unix, Perl, Python or R) experience is highly desirable, and experience beyond coursework is a plus.
- Students must demonstrate interest in pursuing graduate research.
- Students must spend a minimum of 5 months in Germany working on their project (project extension may be possible depending on funding and interest).
To Apply
Send the following materials to Dr. Michelle Wainstein at info@creoi.org:
- Curriculum Vitae including name, permanent and current addresses, phone, e-mail, GPA, complete educational and employment history, social security number and date of birth.
- A 2-3 page essay including information on your background (e.g., family history, ethnicity, previous laboratory research, education, travel experience, etc.) and your career goals (including how you think a MHIRT assistantship will help you attain these goals).
- Two letters of recommendation, including from someone who has directly supervised you in a laboratory setting or in a bioinformatics project (e.g., graduate student, technician, postdoctoral researcher, or professor). Letters of recommendation should be e-mailed directly to Dr. Wainstein.
Candidate review will begin March 1, 2016 and continue until positions are filled.
For more information, contact: Marcy Balunas at marcy.balunas@uconn.edu