Application Deadline: September 16, 2024
Funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs will support the participation of up to five Dartmouth graduate or undergraduate students per year in the Joint Science Education Project (JSEP). JSEP is a collaborative program between the U.S. and Greenland to educate the next generation of scientists through inquiry-based field learning in Greenland and additional remote learning activities. Dartmouth students have a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in this program as teachers and mentors of a group of high school and university students from Greenland, Denmark, and the U.S.
As a Dartmouth JSEP Graduate Mentor, you will:
increase your ability to teach, mentor, and collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team
learn how to design and adapt research and learning experiences for in-person and remote formats
develop skills for science communication and meaningful outreach in communities
gain knowledge about polar science and its connections to global issues
Members of the 2019 Dartmouth JSEP team on the Greenland Ice Sheet. From left: Dr. Amelia Fitch (EEES GR '23), Dr. Madi Gamble (EEES GR '22), Natalie Stephenson (Institute of Arctic Studies), Erica Wallstrom (Lead U.S. JSEP teacher), Dr. Lauren Culler (JSEP PI, EEES GR'13), Hanna Bliska (Dartmouth '20), and Clara Allison (Music GR '20).
Over the course of one-year (approximate dates October 2024 - October 2025), JSEP Graduate Mentors will work closely with Dartmouth faculty to lead the U.S. contributions to the Joint Science Education Project (JSEP), consisting of a field course in Greenland and a one week online short course on Arctic environmental change. Mentors are expected to be on campus for in-person participation with exceptions for occasional travel for conferences, field work, and other professional activities. Graduate Mentors will receive a stipend of $4,000* distributed over the course of the 12 month position and students from the EEES graduate program will also receive a TA release. All travel and related expenses to Greenland are also covered.
Late fall term: Mentors will attend an orientation and planning meetings for initial development of field-based and remote polar learning experiences.
Winter and spring terms: Mentors will attend polar-focused seminars and planning meetings focused on teaching in international classrooms, engaging students in remote and hybrid learning, and responsible and safe conduct for working in the Arctic. These events will help graduate students further develop and finalize learning experiences. Mentors will also contribute to logistics and travel planning.
Summer term into fall term: Mentors will travel to Greenland (~3 weeks) for the field-based JSEP program to lead a learning experience and mentor student-driven research. They will work to adapt their learning experiences for remote students and then participate in the remote JSEP short course (~1 week). Successful completion of the JSEP Graduate Mentor position requires graduate students to also refine and summarize their approaches, concepts, and strategies for their polar learning experiences for broad dissemination
*Graduate students receiving federal or institutional support in addition to a Dartmouth Fellowship (e.g., NSF GRFP, NIH SEPA) are able to participate but may be ineligible for stipend support through JSEP. Please contact Jessica Trout-Haney (jessica.volan.trout-haney@dartmouth.edu) to discuss any concerns you may have about this.
Incoming and continuing graduate students in good standing are eligible to apply, with preference given to Ph.D. students who can lead learning experiences in the natural, physical, environmental, and Arctic sciences. Prior polar field experience is not required. Undergraduate students already engaged in polar research or outreach with Dartmouth faculty may also be eligible- please contact Jess Trout-Haney to discuss your interest. Previous JSEP Graduate Mentors are eligible to apply for up to a second year of funding.
The PIs will assemble an anticipated team of five JSEP Graduate Mentors for the 2024-25 academic year with 2-3 spots to be filled by graduate students who can lead learning experiences related to ice, snow, and polar engineering and the other 2-3 will be filled by graduate students who can lead learning experiences related to the ecology and dynamics of glacial landscapes and polar ecosystems.
Link to apply: https://forms.gle/DMprhn5Fp7vvmeyk6
At the time of submission, you are required to submit a CV and letter of support from your major advisor, along with statements of interest and professional development. The CV and letter of support must be emailed as PDFs to jessica.volan.trout-haney@dartmouth.edu. The statements of interest must be submitted in the google form linked above.
Application Deadline: September 16, 2024
Notification of Selection: by September 23, 2024
Position Start Date: October 1, 2024