Membership Benefits & Expectations

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.