Join the Group!
The Beckman Research Group pursues interdisciplinary research questions, drawing on ecology, behavior, and evolution, and involve mathematical, statistical, and empirical approaches. In my research group, I encourage this approach within a stimulating and challenging scientific environment in which members can exchange ideas, pursue independent research, and establish collaborations across disciplines. I am committed to building a diverse and inclusive community of scholars.
I am recruiting motivated and qualified researchers passionate about their research to contribute to a productive and vibrant research environment. If you are interested in joining the group, please familiarize yourself with the group's research themes and policies. Please follow the links below to read more details about undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral positions below.
Please send me a CV and a letter introducing yourself. In your letter, include a description of your research interests, why you are interested in joining the group, and a summary of your prior research experience and your academic background. You can find me at an upcoming conference to chat about research ideas!
While I will be closely involved in the research of master’s students, I expect a high level of independence from doctoral students in pursuing research questions and applying for funding. Please see a more detailed description of graduate opportunities here.
Below are several resources for potential graduate students:
- Dr. Chris Golde's Questions To Ask When Thinking About Pursuing a Ph.D.
- Dr. Spencer Hall's library of resources for graduate students, including advice on being a graduate student.
- Dr. Walter Carson's 1999 "A Primer On How To Apply To And Get Admitted To Graduate School In Ecology And Evolutionary Biology" published in the Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America.
- Dr. Meghan Duffy's "Thoughts on Applying to Grad School (for prospective students and their mentors)", and see the links to references therein.
- Dr. Henry Howe's advice for prospective graduate students.
- A Guide to Graduate School for Students at Minority Serving Institutions from the Center for Minority Serving Institutions at University of Pennsylvania
- Resources available from PHDs.org
Established in 1975, the undergraduate research program at USU is the second oldest in the nation following behind MIT. As undergraduate research was critical in defining my career choices, I involve undergraduates in my research and look forward to mentoring students in independent projects related to my research or other members of my research group. Getting involved in research not only deepens your scientific understanding, but is an opportunity to learn about a variety of career paths. The skills acquired while conducting and communicating biological research are applicable to students interested in a range of disciplines and career-trajectories and will help you be a more competitive applicant for jobs or post-graduate education (e.g., graduate school, medical school, etc.).
See the Seedscape Blog to learn about past contributions and experiences of undergraduate team members in the research group.
Please see details about expectations, current projects, and application details here.
I currently do not have support for postdoctoral researchers, but am interested in collaborating with interested researchers to codevelop proposals for funding.
Below are potential funding sources:
- Ford Foundation Fellowships (deadline in December)
- National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (deadline in November)
- National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology (no deadline)
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (deadline in September)
- David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program (deadline in early September)
- Smithsonian Fellowships
- James S. McDonnell Foundation - "Understanding Dynamic and Multi-scale Systems" (deadline in June)
Please reach out to Dr. Beckman (noelle.beckman AT usu.edu) if you would like to contribute to any of the below efforts.
Contributors to the Seedscape blog discuss topics focused on academia and research in plant ecology. There is an associated Twitter and Facebook acount and YouTube channel (if you are interested in creating video content).
Contributors to the CoDisperse blog discuss topics focused on seed dispersal. There is an associated Twitter and Facebook acount.
Verde Elemental is a digital publication in Spanish dedicated to promoting and disseminating knowledge in ecology and conservation in Latin America. If you are interested in science communication and ecology and conservation in Latin America and would like to contribute to Verde Elemental, please get in touch with me or the director, Dr. Carol Garzon.