Faculty Benefits
Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Intellectual Community Building
- The Center for Plant Science Innovation brings together an amazing group of interdisciplinary plant scientists focused on shared plant science success.
- Frequent research and social events promote interdisciplinary collaboration including
- Monthly research meetings
- Monthly faculty meetings
- Annual research events (Symposium or Retreat in alternating years)
- Large-grant planning events
- Coffee Fridays
- PSI works with departments to host invited speakers focused on plant science.
Research Advocacy
- PSI advocates for Nebraska plant science with donors, the scientific public, and UNL administration.
- Enhanced visibility and prestige through strategic media promotion highlighting faculty accomplishments.
- PSI nominates the faculty for awards both at UNL and nationally.
- PSI advocates on behalf of faculty for hiring and retention packages, contributing to both.
Research and Funding Support
- Center Funds: PSI distributes available funds to PIs, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students based on participation or competition.
- Center Funds: PSI advocates with your department and UNL resources to help collaboratively fund your small or mid-range equipment needs. This includes repairs or service contracts of critical equipment.
- Administrative Support: Kim Tedrow assists with center administration and the promotion of center activities and faculty accomplishments.
- Administrative Support: Lisa Vonfeldt assists with managing PSI-distributed funds.
- Administrative Support: Allyn Pella assists with grant budgeting, compliance, and reporting.
Training and Trainee Opportunities
- PSI members have the opportunity to organize or assist in organizing local events, and to participate in organized events promoting plant science.
- PSI provides multiple informal mentoring opportunities for early career faculty outside their home departments.
- PSI members can take students from the Complex Biosystems’ Integrated Plant Biology program.
- PSI provides financial support for the Complex Biosystems graduate program and is involved in the recruitment of excellent candidates, enhancing access to students looking for interdisciplinary plant research environments.
- PSI trainees (post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and staff scientists) have multiple opportunities for professional development, including:
- Leadership in the Collective Research Organization of Plant Scientists (CROPS), a post-doctoral and graduate student researcher association that is funded by PSI.
- Heuermann excellence awards for graduate students.
- Travel awards for post-docs and graduate students.
- Annual outreach event.
- Annual workshops focused on professional skill-building or career planning.
Faculty Expectations
Secure Research Funding
- Maintain an externally funded research program.
- Actively pursue external research funding as a PI or co-PI.
- Submit research grants through PSI.
Maintain Research Productivity and Excellence
- Regularly publish research findings.
- Regularly communicate research findings at national and international conferences and invited seminars.
- Seek intellectual property protection, when appropriate, for research discoveries.
- Consistent acknowledgement of PSI in publications, presentations, and media.
Engage in Collaboration
- Participate regularly in PSI activities, including faculty meetings, committees, and research group meetings.
- Develop meaningful research collaborations within and beyond PSI.
- Maintain a spirit of collegiality and support for other PSI members and their labs.
- Contribute to achieving objectives in the PSI Strategic Plan.
- Promote PSI and its activities within and beyond UNL.
- Provide mentorship and career guidance to graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral research associates, junior faculty, and other personnel who are affiliated with PSI.