About
The Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) announces the Elizabeth E. Bascom Fellowship in Conservation Biology. This is a training fellowship whose purpose is to broaden the Fellows’ expertise and experience in applied conservation biology. In collaboration with MBG scientists in the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development (CCSD), Fellows will participate in scientific research projects and activities related to the population dynamics of rare plants, reintroduction of endangered plant species, ex situ conservation of native plant species, seed germination ecology of rare plants, and the restoration ecology of native habitats.
Fellows will learn hands-on techniques for conserving rare plants in seed banks and living collections, monitoring rare plant populations, restoring and managing native habitats with prescribed fire, and curating data on rare plant species. Fellows will be expected to travel to MBG in St. Louis, Missouri, for a period of 4-6 weeks during March – May. During their stay at MBG, Fellows will travel with CCSD staff for several weeks to conduct fieldwork in the Southeastern United States. Successful applicants should exhibit the motivation and professional capacity to apply knowledge gained during the Fellowship towards advancing applied conservation and restoration projects in their region/country of residence. Opportunities may be available for Fellows to participate in national workshops and meetings that provide training in conservation biology.
The Fellowship will cover the costs of round-trip air travel to St. Louis and lodging in MBG’s visitor apartments, and will provide a stipend for food, local transportation, and other incidental expenses in St. Louis for a period of 4-6 weeks. Fellows will be expected to travel with CCSD staff to conduct fieldwork in the Southeastern United States; all travel expenses and accommodations for fieldwork will be covered by MBG. During their stay, Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary activities that enrich their experience and strengthen their professional development through interaction with a vibrant community of conservation biologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists at MBG, Washington University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Saint Louis University.
Requirements
The Fellowships are open to applicants from Mexico, Central America, South America, Madagascar, Vietnam, and Tanzania. Application is open to:
1) individuals who have recently completed an undergraduate degree
2) graduate students
3) professionals from universities and governmental or nongovernmental organizations
To qualify, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in conservation biology, ecology, botany/plant sciences, or a related field and prior research experience. Applicants must be willing to occasionally work long hours in hot, dry, and wet weather conditions and must have the ability to hike up to 3 miles carrying a 30-pound pack. During their stay, Fellows must have health insurance, which will be provided by MBG. Fluency in English preferred.
Applications
Applications will consist of a maximum of eight pages that will include the following documents:
1) Cover page form (one page, double-sided);
2) Statement of relevant academic preparation and previous research in conservation, ecology, or botany, following the instructions on the next page;
3) Up-to-date curriculum vitae following the format and examples indicated on the next page (maximum of two pages, 10-point font);
4) A copy of the most advanced university degree awarded;
5) A letter of recommendation;
6) A letter from the institution with which the applicant is affiliated that supports his/her participation in this program.
Applications may be submitted in English or Spanish and should preferably be sent by e-mail. Applications sent by regular mail or fax will also be accepted. Incomplete applications or those that exceed the eight-page limit will not be considered.
Send electronic applications to: Bascom.fellowship@mobot.org
General instructions for preparing the application
- Format Maximum length: 2 pages
Paper size: A4 (21 x 29.7 cm) or letter (21.5 x 27.8 cm)
Minimum margins:2 cm on all sides
Line spacing: single or greater
Minimum font size: 10-point - Cover page form (one page, double-sided) Complete the form that follows this page.
- Body of the document (maximum of two pages) A. General antecedents (maximum 300 words)
1) Describe your relevant academic preparation and previous research in conservation, ecology, or botany.
2) Briefly explain how you came to be interested in conservation biology.
3) Long-term career objectives
4) Previous studies conducted and published in conservation biology - Specific goals to be achieved during your time at MBG (maximum 300 words)
1) Describe how you might apply the knowledge gained during the fellowship.
2) Specific skills that you plan to learn during the fellowship
3) Explain how the fellowship relates to your career goals.
General instructions for the curriculum vitae
- Format Maximum length: 2 pages
Paper size: A4 (21 x 29.7 cm) or letter (21.5 x 27.8 cm)
Minimum margins: 2 cm on all sides
Line spacing: single or greater
Minimum font size: 10-point - Personal information
Complete name (first, middle, and last names, with last name in capitals)
Place and date of birth
Complete mailing address
Telephone, fax, and e-mail - Body of the document
1. Education (include the institution, city, degree earned, year of graduation, and area of specialization)
2. Employment history (beginning with the most recent position and indicating the dates of each position)
3. Publications (including the names of all authors in the same order as in the original publication; the year of publication; title of the article, journal, book; volume number; and number of pages)
4. Students supervised (indicate if you have no students)
5. Workshops, symposia, courses, etc., in which you have participated (maximum 10; include the title of the event, organizing institution, person in charge, date, city, and your participation) - Example:
Carmen María UGALDE
Place and date of birth: Cali, January 21, 1970
Address: University of XXX, Department of XXX, Avenida Pedro Echeverría No. 45-12, Cali, Colombia Telephone: 597-2-421-6453;
Fax: 597-2-421-6452 E-mail: cmugalde@yahoo.com
1. Education University of XXX, Brazil, Ph.D. in Botany, 2002 University of XXX, Cali, Master’s in Botany, 1997 University of XXX, Cali, Licenciatura in Biology,1993
2. Employment history Professor of Biology, University of XXX, Cali, 2003-present Herbarium Assistant, XXX, Cali, 1994-1997
3. Publications Ugalde, C. M. 2000. El género Ribes en Colombia. Revista Botánica Latinoamericana 24: 45-70.
4. Students supervised None
5. Workshops, symposia, courses, etc. attended Symposium on Plant Anatomy, University of XXX, Cali, November 2004 (coordinator and speaker) Course in Systematic Botany, Universidad de XXX, taught by Dr. Juan Pérez, Quito, July 2003 (attendee)
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/Portals/0/CCSD/Documents/Bascom%20Conservation_2016.pdf