Cool 2-yr fellowship at UC-Riverside in STEM

I just got an email from Marlene Zuk, who gave an awesome talk at last year's Inclusive Science conference that I liveblogged. She has a great postdoc opportunity that those of you who have STEM backgrounds and who study ways to improve diversity in STEM should really apply for. More below the fold...

UCR Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship for Cultivating Diversity in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Criteria: Promising potential tenure-track applicants with no more than three years postdoctoral university experience

Award: $40,000 for 2009-2010 academic year, plus benefits and research support (see below)

Deadline: February 15, 2009

Start Date: October 1, 2009

The University of California, Riverside is committed to diversity as integral to excellence in higher education. UCR understands that in order to achieve excellence in research and service, it is necessary to cultivate a greater diversity of perspectives and backgrounds among all members of the university community. UCR shares a national concern about the under-representation of African Americans, Chicano/Latinos and American Indians in academic careers in all of the sciences and engineering, and about the under-representation of women in engineering, math, and the physical sciences.

The Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship for Cultivating Diversity in Science, Engineering and Mathematics solicits applications from individuals with a demonstrated commitment to increasing the number of underrepresented faculty members in research institutions. The program is open to individuals with doctoral degrees in Science, Engineering and Math who are committed to careers in academia, and whose teaching, research or service will help UCR address the barriers that prevent full participation of underrepresented groups in academic careers in the STEM fields. The program provides funding, research opportunities, and guidance in preparation for academic career advancement.

The fellowship will be for 2 years, with the successful candidate working closely with a faculty member in the Bourns College of Engineering, the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, or the Division of Biomedical Sciences. In addition to the salary and benefits stipulated above, up to $10,000 per year is available for travel to academic conferences, research support, materials and supplies. Renewal for the second year is contingent on satisfactory performance.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application, and must have no more than 3 years of postdoctoral experience at a university or other academic institution.

To apply, send the following: 1) curriculum vitae, 2) statement of proposed research (up to 5 pages, including an explanation of the project, the faculty member(s) who would serve as mentors, and a brief discussion of how the work would build on the applicant's dissertation research), 3) at least 2 publications or dissertation chapters, 4) three letters of reference, one of which must be from the dissertation advisor, and 5) a brief statement about any of the candidate's activities that have helped to foster diversity among scientists (e.g., mentoring programs or outreach). In addition, a brief statement from the proposed faculty mentor(s) agreeing to advise the applicant must be provided. Materials can be sent either as pdf files via email to vpequity@ucr.edu or to Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship, Offices of the Vice Provosts, Surge Building, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, and must be postmarked by February 15, 2009. The recipient of the award will be announced by April, 2009.