Tag: research (Page 4 of 4)

Lecturer in Environmental Policy, Tufts University Environmental Studies Program (Medford, MA)

Lecturer in Environmental Policy and Communication 

A full-time renewable, non-tenure track, lecturer position in Environmental Studies is available beginning July 1, 2015. The Environmental Studies Program at Tufts University seeks an individual with expertise in environmental policy and communication who is committed to enhancing our students’ critical thinking and analytical skills, and their ability to work across disciplines. Teaching responsibilities (equivalent of 6 courses per year) include an advanced course in the candidate’s field of expertise, mentoring individual student research as appropriate to candidate’s expertise, and courses in the following general areas: (a) environmental policy, (b) environmental communication/negotiation, and (c) interdisciplinary research methods/analysis. The successful candidate is expected to advise majors, and lead small group discussions on general environmental issues as part of our Lunch & Learn seminar series.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional degree and have experience in interdisciplinary research and teaching. Demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching is required. Salary is commensurate with experience. The application materials should include:

  • Cover letter including a list of possible courses that the applicant could teach in his/her area of expertise.
    CV 
  • Statement of teaching philosophy • Course overview and syllabus of a proposed hands-on/skill-building methods/analysis course. 
  • Course evaluations and syllabi for the last three courses taught 
  • Two confidential letters of reference   

Candidates should submit the materials listed above and arrange to have two confidential reference letters submitted directly by the authors to: https://apply.interfolio.com/28344. Questions about the position may be directed to Colin Orians, Director, Environmental Studies Program, at colin.orians@tufts.edu. Review of applications will begin February 15, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled.   

 Tufts University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Second Nature Internship (Boston, MA)

SECOND NATURE INTERNSHIP, SPRING 2015

Location: Boston, MA, USA

Second Nature is a Boston-based non-profit organization working to create a sustainable society by transforming higher education. Accomplished through a variety of initiatives including the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) a program with over 680 colleges and universities where the presidents have committed to carbon neutrality and climate action on their campuses.

Second Nature is seeking applicants for internships that may focus on any of the following tasks based on the applicant’s area of interest:

  • Support member institutions with meeting their sustainability and resilience goals, with a focus on programs with minority-serving institutions
  • Assist with recruitment activities for new and existing members
  • Perform research and analysis of current programs to optimize member services and develop new resources for member institutions, utilizing our unique datasets
  • Assist with communications and outreach
  • Provide support for grant submission and corporate engagement initiatives
  • CRM database management and data entry

Knowledge of sustainability and resilience issues, a passion for supporting under-resourced organizations and the ability to contribute to the growth of the organization through new skills, insights, and creative ideas are musts. Outstanding candidates may possess some of the following: research and data analysis skills; excellent writing and communication skills; knowledge of Salesforce or other customer management software; experience developing corporate relationships and external fundraising; an advanced understanding of the ACUPCC (including experience with greenhouse gas inventories and/or climate action planning); and in-depth knowledge and passion for climate leadership issues relevant to higher education.

Position Details: Second Nature offers a dynamic and creative work environment with a customized experience for each intern designed to be challenging and build desired skill-sets. These positions have a flexible work schedule with approximately a 4-5 month, 15-20 hour a week commitment. Interns will have direct supervision from Second Nature staff beginning in Jan/February 2015 and ending April/May 2015, both local and remote options are available. This is a paid internship, and can also be completed for credit.

Who Should Apply: Students at all post-secondary institutions– including graduate level, bachelor’s and associates students– are invited to apply. Women and minority applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Faculty & Staff: Please forward this application to students that may be a good fit for this experience.

How to Apply: Please fill out the form below.  Upload a Resume & Cover Letter. Direct your cover letter to: Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Director of ACUPCC Inititaitves. In your cover letter please address what you hope to gain from an internship with Second Nature, your primary interest areas, and what relevant experiences you may have.

APPLY ONLINE

About Employment with Second Nature

Second Nature’s mission is to accelerate movement toward a sustainable future by serving and supporting senior college and university leaders in making healthy, just, and sustainable living the foundation of all learning and practice in higher education.  We believe that in order for society to move in a sustainable direction, higher education must develop a new framework in which the sector and individual institutions operate as a fully integrated communities that teach, research, and model social and ecological sustainability.

Second Nature is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any of the following: race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or gender characteristics, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lunch and Learn Recap: Elena Naumova, Environmental Indicators of Enteric Infections and Water Safety in Southern India

Elena Naumova, director of the Tufts Initiative for the Forecasting and Modeling of Infectious Diseases (InForMid) and Associate Dean for Research at the Tufts School of Engineering, spoke last week as part of the Tufts Environmental Studies and Tufts Institute of the Environment Lunch and Learn program. Her presentation on the Environmental Indicators of Enteric Infections and Water Safety in Southern India covered student research projects sponsored through a collaboration between the Tufts School of Engineering and Christian Medical College in Vellore, India.

 A mathematician by training, Naumova emphasized the importance of translating data into usable information that allows for action and policy.

Naumova began by laying out the importance of preventing waterborne diseases. Globally, there are 4 billion cases of diarrhea annually, 2.2 million of which lead to death. Of those 2.2 million, 80% of the deaths are among infants. Unsafe water is a large factor in these diseases.

Modern mathematical tools allow for an understanding of waterborne outbreaks in “temporal and spatial patterns”, Naumova said. “Practically all waterborne diseases exhibit strong seasonal patterns distinct for a specific pathogen in a given population [and] locality”, in a phenomenon known

as seasonality. An example familiar to New England residents, of course, would be the peaks of flu that occur in the winter. “Variability in seasonal characteristics can provide clues on important factors influencing disease occurrence, exposure, [and] spread.” These environmental factors, when they are within human control, could be a key to disease prevention. Climate change, however, will affect our ability to use these seasonal indicators as the patterns we have come to recognize begin to shift radically.

Naumova further presented statistics on the seasonality of cryptosporidiosis in the United States and the United Kingdom, salmonellosis in the United Status, and rotavirus in India.

She then laid out two studies conducted by some of her students, Dr. Stefan Collinet-Adler, Andrea Brown, Alexandra Kulinkina, and Negin Ashoori. Both studies examined the transmission of infectious diarrhea in 300 urban and rural households in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The first study focused on the role of flies, which can carry pathogens such as norovirus, salmonella, and rotavirus. In the tests conducted, 72% of the flies tested positive for potential human pathogens. The second study used GIS to map ground water quality and distribution systems in Vellore.

Naumova here noted the importance of recognizing the difference between water quality and quantity: the focus of these studies was on quality, for lack of water leads to other severe problems but obviously cannot cause waterborne diseases.

Elena said she is always looking for students who are interested in going abroad and conducting research and will do whatever she can to make that possible!

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