Faculty Benefits
Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Intellectual Community Building
- The Center for Plant Science Innovation is an amazing group of interdisciplinary plant scientists focused on shared plant science success.
- We advocate with donors, the public, and administrators on behalf of plant science & scientists.
- We promote collaboration through
- Monthly research presentations
- Annual research gatherings (symposium or retreat in alternating years)
- Large-grant planning events
- Social events
- We work with other units to host invited speakers focused on plant science.
- We highlight faculty accomplishments and nominate for plant science awards at UNL and nationally.
Research and Funding Support
- We contribute to hiring and retaining the best plant science faculty.
- All of our funds support research directly or indirectly. We contribute to:
- Faculty research support
- Administrative and promotional support
- New equipment, strategic investments, & equipment repair
- Student and post-doctoral awards
- The Complex Biosystem’s Graduate Program
- The Collective Research Organization of Plant Scientists, our early career scientist program
Training Support
- Multiple cross-departmental informal mentoring opportunities for early career faculty & researchers.
- Enhanced access to interdisciplinary students through financial support of the Complex Biosystems graduate program.
- Professional development opportunities, including:
- Leadership in the Collective Research Organization of Plant Scientists (CROPS), our early career scientist program
- Heuermann excellence awards for graduate students.
- Travel awards for post-docs and graduate students.
- 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.