Sunrise at Double R Pond, Reno, NV (Fall 2019)
Thank you for your interest in joining the Blaszczak lab!
CLICK HERE for current advertisements for positions in the lab! Please contact me even when there are no positions advertised as I am happy to talk to prospective lab members about fellowship applications (see below for more information).
CLICK HERE for current advertisements for positions in the lab! Please contact me even when there are no positions advertised as I am happy to talk to prospective lab members about fellowship applications (see below for more information).
What potential opportunities are available to you?
The Blaszczak lab is always looking for motivated, creative, and collaborative individuals to join our group! Whether you are interested in a postdoc, Ph.D., M.S., or if you are an undergraduate student looking for opportunities to pursue your research interests related to freshwater biogeochemistry, contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, or land-use effects on water quality, there is potentially a spot in the lab for you! Read more below about what support UNR has to offer related to your career stage (and don't forget, check here for advertisements!):
M.S. and Ph.D. Students:
UNR has several graduate programs which students can choose from including the following:
I can accept graduate students through these programs when funding is available and a position is advertised. I also strongly encourage those who are interested in joining the lab to pursue their own funding such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. I am happy to work with you on fellowship applications. If you are interested in working together, but there are no positions advertised, still feel free to email me with (1) a short description of why you are interested in joining the lab and (2) your resume/CV.
Undergraduate Students:
(1) During the academic year: Independent research / Work Study / Volunteers
I am very interested in undergraduate students being part of the lab! Students are encouraged to first join the lab as a research assistant. I provide financial support to everyone who works in the lab. However, if you are interested in volunteering a couple of times to test out whether research is something you might be interested in and if you're a good fit for the lab, please email me! In addition, students are welcome to join lab meetings without necessarily working in the lab.
UNR does a great job of promoting undergraduate research and even provides support through the Nevada Undergraduate Research Award and McNair Scholars Program. However, before working on submitting an application together, I prefer if students first spend a semester or more working in the lab to get a better sense if the type of research we do in the Blaszczak lab is for you.
(2) Summer positions
Advertisements for undergraduate student summer internships will be posted ahead of the summer on the current openings page. Depending on the position, students will either assist graduate students with their projects or summer interns will develop and pursue a project of their own.
Post-doctoral Researcher
UNR is a great place to be a post-doc interested in water resources and aquatic ecosystem ecology. The university puts effort into providing development opportunities and travel awards. You can read more about it at the UNR Office of Postdoctoral Affairs website. There is also a strong community centered around the Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences and the UNR Global Water Center including seminar series and a multitude of opportunities to interact with faculty working on water-related questions. The UNR Natural Resources and Environmental Science department provides a welcoming and engaging community as well.
While we have openings for postdocs that will be advertised, I am also open to those who are interested in writing a fellowship together (e.g. NSF Earth Science Research (EAR) postdoc fellowships). Please email me your CV and information about the fellowship if you are interested in developing a proposal together!
M.S. and Ph.D. Students:
UNR has several graduate programs which students can choose from including the following:
- Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) - Ph.D. or M.S.
- Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences (GPHS) - Ph.D. or M.S.
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology - Ph.D.
- Environmental Science Graduate Program - Ph.D.
I can accept graduate students through these programs when funding is available and a position is advertised. I also strongly encourage those who are interested in joining the lab to pursue their own funding such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. I am happy to work with you on fellowship applications. If you are interested in working together, but there are no positions advertised, still feel free to email me with (1) a short description of why you are interested in joining the lab and (2) your resume/CV.
Undergraduate Students:
(1) During the academic year: Independent research / Work Study / Volunteers
I am very interested in undergraduate students being part of the lab! Students are encouraged to first join the lab as a research assistant. I provide financial support to everyone who works in the lab. However, if you are interested in volunteering a couple of times to test out whether research is something you might be interested in and if you're a good fit for the lab, please email me! In addition, students are welcome to join lab meetings without necessarily working in the lab.
UNR does a great job of promoting undergraduate research and even provides support through the Nevada Undergraduate Research Award and McNair Scholars Program. However, before working on submitting an application together, I prefer if students first spend a semester or more working in the lab to get a better sense if the type of research we do in the Blaszczak lab is for you.
(2) Summer positions
Advertisements for undergraduate student summer internships will be posted ahead of the summer on the current openings page. Depending on the position, students will either assist graduate students with their projects or summer interns will develop and pursue a project of their own.
Post-doctoral Researcher
UNR is a great place to be a post-doc interested in water resources and aquatic ecosystem ecology. The university puts effort into providing development opportunities and travel awards. You can read more about it at the UNR Office of Postdoctoral Affairs website. There is also a strong community centered around the Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences and the UNR Global Water Center including seminar series and a multitude of opportunities to interact with faculty working on water-related questions. The UNR Natural Resources and Environmental Science department provides a welcoming and engaging community as well.
While we have openings for postdocs that will be advertised, I am also open to those who are interested in writing a fellowship together (e.g. NSF Earth Science Research (EAR) postdoc fellowships). Please email me your CV and information about the fellowship if you are interested in developing a proposal together!
Other things to consider as a prospective graduate student:
The information below has been adapted from the websites of my colleagues and mentors including: Joel Scheingross, Margaret Zimmer, Emily Bernhardt
My commitment to lab members
I am committed to fostering a lab community that values an inclusive, respectful, happy, and supportive environment in all aspects of our work as scientists regardless of any member's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical ability, or socio-economic status.
For all lab members, I will:
For graduate students, I will:
For postdocs, I will:
For undergraduate students, I will:
My expectations for lab members
I expect all lab members to:
In addition, I expect graduate students to:
In addition, I expect postdocs to:
The community at UNR and life in and around Reno
UNR is a Carnegie classified R1 institution with a wonderful community of scientists interested in freshwater ecology and water resource management including those affiliated with the following:
Reno is at the intersection of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin with incredible access to outdoor recreational activities including skiing, climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. We are ~45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, 3 hours from Yosemite National Park, and 3.5 hours from San Francisco. The Reno community is also a diverse artistic and cultural community with much to offer. Learn more about the Reno Tahoe area here.
My commitment to lab members
I am committed to fostering a lab community that values an inclusive, respectful, happy, and supportive environment in all aspects of our work as scientists regardless of any member's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical ability, or socio-economic status.
For all lab members, I will:
- Discuss your future career goals on a regular basis and provide (to the best of my abilities) career advice and guidance on opportunities in and outside of academia
- Hold regular lab meetings to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, to allow for peer-to-peer feedback and mentoring, and to work on professional development skills (e.g. presentation skills, developing time management and writing skills, etc.)
- Solicit and be open to feedback as well as being flexible during periods of challenging life situations outside of the lab. I care deeply about the success of the students in my lab (however they define it) and I hope to build work relationships that allow for clear communication
- Provide detailed feedback on manuscript drafts and proposals within two weeks (with exceptions for field work and travel when my access to a computer is limited)
- Share as much enthusiasm and joy as I can for the amazing science we can do together!
For graduate students, I will:
- Work with you to collaboratively create, pursue, and complete a M.S. or Ph.D. thesis that allows you to develop technical and conceptual expertise in the freshwater science topics you find most compelling and motivating
- Provide financial support throughout your tenure in graduate school which will include travel support to at least one scientific conference per year if presenting
- Meet with you one-on-one weekly during your first semester and every other week beyond that to discuss progress on projects and your professional development
For postdocs, I will:
- Be a collaborator who develops ideas and proposals with you and directs you to all potential opportunities that I am aware of
- Provide financial support including travel support to at least one scientific conference per year if presenting
- Meet with you on an as needed basis, but at least once every other week, and will work with you on developing an Individual Development Plan
For undergraduate students, I will:
- Work with you to establish goals for what you hope to achieve by being a part of the lab
My expectations for lab members
I expect all lab members to:
- Be willing to engage with all members of the lab and maintain a respectful, flexible, and professional attitude (while of course still having fun!).
- Be open and eager to learn from and collaborate with others.
- Take ownership of your professional development and communicate what your expectations are for yourself and our working relationship as honestly and often as you can.
- Participate in lab meetings and in the UNR community including departmental seminars, journal clubs, etc. Peer-to-peer mentoring can be invaluable for your career!
- Take your science seriously and be rigorous with your work. Maintain an "open" science and data philosophy for all data generated in the lab.
- Put your physical and mental health as well as your family first. Try your best to develop a healthy work-life balance so that you can enjoy doing research and be more efficient and productive.
In addition, I expect graduate students to:
- Submit at least one manuscript if you're a M.S. (with 1-2 thesis chapters) and at least two manuscripts if you're a Ph.D. student (3 or more thesis chapters) before you leave UNR. I expect you to share your findings (if only a portion of them) with the scientific community through peer-reviewed literature. Time flies in graduate school and it gets much, much more difficult to submit papers after you leave. I will work closely with all students to make sure this expectation is attainable.
- Be willing to apply to external funding. Not only does this provide you more agency and flexibility, but it also looks great to future employers!
In addition, I expect postdocs to:
- Be transparent and have a plan that is regularly negotiated with and communicated to me on how you will manage past, current, and future responsibilities
- Be willing to apply to external funding! I will help you identify opportunities.
The community at UNR and life in and around Reno
UNR is a Carnegie classified R1 institution with a wonderful community of scientists interested in freshwater ecology and water resource management including those affiliated with the following:
- UNR Global Water Center
- Graduate Program in Hydrologic Sciences (GPHS)
- Natural Resources and Environmental Science department
- Environmental Science (ES) Graduate Program
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) Program
- Desert Research Institute
Reno is at the intersection of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin with incredible access to outdoor recreational activities including skiing, climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. We are ~45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, 3 hours from Yosemite National Park, and 3.5 hours from San Francisco. The Reno community is also a diverse artistic and cultural community with much to offer. Learn more about the Reno Tahoe area here.
