RESEARCH GRANT AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER 2001

     Sweet Briar College's "Naturalist-in-Residence" grant provides up to $6000 for a scientist/naturalist to conduct summer field research that uses our 3300 acre campus and involves our undergraduates. Our goals in establishing this program are (1) to increase our knowledge about the biodiversity of our land, and (2) to provide high quality field research experience for our students.

     For summer 2001 we especially invite applications from botanists and mycologists, but we will consider projects focused on any taxa. Applications will be evaluated on the quality of the research proposed; the potential of the project to provide valuable information on local natural history and a meaningful field experience for our student(s); and the qualifications of the candidate.

     The grant is open to Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral fellows, or Ph.D.-level field scientists. Preference will be given to a candidate with experience supervising undergraduates, and who will be actively involved in the research on a daily basis.

     Field seasons that fall between mid-May and mid-August are the easiest to arrange logistically, but since study organisms don't always follow convenient schedules, arrangements can be made for an earlier starting date and/or later ending date.

     The maximum duration of the grant is six months during one field season; the minimum duration is 3 continuous weeks. The grantee will agree to (1) hire, train and supervise at least one Sweet Briar student as a research assistant; (2) share with the college any basic natural history data that are collected; (3) conduct at least one community event per month during the residency, such as leading a nature walk, offering a nature program to campus children, or presenting an evening lecture; (4) acknowledge the Naturalist-in-Residence Fund and Sweet Briar College in all papers, talks, etc. resulting from the research; (5) send two copies of any publications resulting from the research to the College; (6) write a final report suitable for a general readership within three months of the end of the grant period, that may be published on the Natural History web site and in other Sweet Briar publications.

     Field naturalists interested in this fellowship are encouraged to contact Dr. Linda Fink, Program Director (lfink@sbc.edu or (804) 381-6436) to discuss their proposals.  Application procedures are described below.

CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS WILL BEGIN 16 FEBRUARY 2001

SUMMER 2000 NATURALIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Wendy McIntyre

Wendy McIntyre, a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Science at the University of Virginia, and assistant Megan Ogilvie, Sweet Briar '02, conducted breeding bird surveys and characterized the vegetation at 50 randomly-selected sites in Sweet Briar's major habitats. Wendy's final report and excerpts from Megan's journal are available online.

Contact Wendy McIntyre: bmm6e@virginia.edu

Field assistant Megan Ogilvie

ABOUT SWEET BRIAR'S LAND

     Sweet Briar is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Lynchburg and Charlottesville VA (elevation 700-1200 ft). Habitats on campus include second growth and near-old-growth hardwood forests, pine plantations, open fields, two lakes and several streams. Research resources include mapped permanent forest plots, a butterfly research garden, GIS coverages, full aerial photo coverage, and breeding bird data. More than 400 acres are permanently protected as sanctuaries. For a researcher interested in establishing a long-term study, it is feasible to establish permanent study sites. The Natural History at Sweet Briar College website contains more information. For information about the College itself, visit http://www.sbc.edu.

The application will consist of:
a) a research proposal, not exceeding three single-spaced pages (approximately 600 words), addressing the objectives of the study, its significance, methods and a timetable. If any approvals or permits (such as banding or collecting permits) are necessary, evidence must be provided that the applicant has them, or has applied for them.
b) an explicit statement of how the applicant will train and supervise the field assistant(s), the range of duties that the assistants will perform, and the skills they will acquire
c) description of potential community events
d) budget, including information on other sources of funding received or pending
e) curriculum vitae
f) two letters of reference that speak to the quality of both the proposal and the researcher, and to the applicant's ability to supervise undergraduates.

     The award, up to a maximum of $6000, can be used towards any of the following: living expenses, travel, expendable supplies, field equipment, stipends for field assistant(s), stipend for grantee (see restrictions below).

     The grantee is eligible for a stipend only if he/she is not receiving a salary or stipend from another source during the period of the grant. The compensation level requested should be commensurate with the applicant's level of experience and recent salary history.

     Sweet Briar field assistants should be budgeted at the rate of $300/week (full time) or $7.50/hr. The grantee is required to hire at least one student assistant for the majority of the field season. The initial screening of potential field assistants will be done by a member of the Department of Biology, Sweet Briar College, and resumes and letters of reference for strong candidates will be forwarded to the grantee for final selection. Phone interviews with students can be arranged if desired. The field assistant stipends will be paid directly by the College from the $6000.

     Any permanent equipment that is purchased will become the property of Sweet Briar College.

     The Director of the Naturalist Program will work with the grantee to obtain local housing at a reasonable cost. Residency on campus is not required. The College will, within its resources, provide research support such as a summer work space in the science building, local telephone service, a hookup to the college computer system, and copier and library privileges.

Applications received by 16 February 2001 will receive preference. Applications and letters of reference may be mailed to Dr. Linda Fink, Department of Biology, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar VA 24595, or sent via email as Microsoft Word attachments to lfink@sbc.edu. The notification date will be on or before 15 March 2001.