Posted on by lbarron

June 10 – 16, 2024

To see full descriptions for any item in the summary list please click on the continue reading link below the summary list.

This Week’s Events:  

  1. INTERVIEW PREPARATION USING GENERATIVE AI – Wednesday
  2. GLC CAFÉ – Thursday

 Administrative Announcements:

  1. APPLICATION FOR SUMMER COMMITTEE FOR CLIMATE AND CULTURE – 1st posting
  2. GPSS FALL 2024 GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM – 1st posting
  3. SPECIALIZED GRADUATE WRITING SUPPORT – 1st posting
  4. APPLY FOR LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY WITH EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE STUDENT CHAPTER – 2nd posting
  5. FREE INDIVIDUALIZED NUTRITION COUNSELING – 3rd posting

Jobs:

  1. HALF-TIME GTA FOR GRAD 5004, GTA WORKSHOP – 1st posting
  2. GTA POSITION FOR ORION (SCIENCE) LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY – 2nd posting
  3. WAGE POSITION ASSISTANT COACH, VT COMPETITIVE CHEER TEAM (NON-VARSITY SPORT CLUB TEAM) – 3rd  posting

Funding Opportunities:

  1. FULBRIGHT POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR U.S. CITIZENS – DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Volunteers and research participants sought:

  1. GRANATA BIOMECHANICS LAB RECRUITING FOR RESEARCH STUDY UNDERSTANDING BIOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE DURING CHILD CARE RELATED ACTIVITIES – 1st posting
  2. RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS FOR A RESEARCH STUDY OF UNDERSTANDING USER PERCEPTIONS OF DARK PATTERNS WHILE USING SOFTWARE – 1st posting
  3. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HUMAN EVALUATION OF ETD CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND CLASSIFICATION LABELS – 2nd posting
  4. RECRUITING YOUNG ADULTS WITH ADHD FOR BRAIN STUDY – 3rd posting

Upcoming Events:

  1. SCIENCE ON TAP – READING THE ROCKS –  June 27

 0. Ongoing Services – updated 08/28/23    

  • GRADUATE SCHOOL: Graduate School summer hours: In-person advising, drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials, and a space to study and take a break! Visit 120 GLC, summer walk-in hours will be held on Monday and Thursday 9:00-4:00pm. The Graduate School offices will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for the summer. Staff will be available by phone 540 231-8636 or email grads@vt.edu.  If you prefer Zoom advising: request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.
  • CAREER ADVISING: Schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html ; GLC drop-in hours in GLC 120 will not be held in the summer and  will resume Fall 2024.
  • COOK COUNSELING: COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in hours for Summer: Tuesdays 10 am to 12 pm. Location: Room 49 at the GLC. For consultations by Zoom e-mail hkatie19@vt.edu. Students seeking services can schedule a triage appointment by calling 540-231-6557.
  • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573

This Week’s Events

1. INTERVIEW PREPARATION USING GENERATIVE AI
Wednesday, June 12, 12-1pm, ZOOM
We will discuss how generative AI tools can help you prepare for a job interview in your chosen field. https://www.research.vt.edu/about/postdoctoral-associates/postdoctoral-events-programs/2024/using-generative-ai-tools-in-your-job-search.html

2. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, June 6, 3:30-5pm, GLC Reading Room
GLC Café will be held on Thursdays only during the summer. Casual drop-in social hour for graduate students to take a break! Enjoy coffee, tea, cookies and conversation with graduate students and Graduate School staff. Bring your own mug if you can.

 Administrative Announcements

3. APPLICATION FOR SUMMER COMMITTEE FOR CLIMATE AND CULTURE – 1st posting
Based on the findings of the GPSS 2024 Climate and Culture survey we are convening a committee to address the concerns. (The full report can be found here: https://gpss.vt.edu/content/gpss_vt_edu/en/index/_jcr_content/home-featured/vtmulticolumn/vt-items_0/download/file.res/2024%20GPSS%20Climate%20and%20Culture%20Executive%20Summary.pdf ).
The application provides students the opportunity to express their interest and intent to do the following: Familiarize yourself with Virginia Tech and other University’s policies and practices in regards to graduate students, e.g. reporting, mentoring requirements, etc.;
Analyze the current reporting data we have to better understand where students are reporting and what barriers they may be facing. Application link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjevP02d1nY8pKjCCY-XizBw9UNkxQNEtRRURYQ0VMVFhCRjdUSzJNMTdKUi4u.   The application will remain open until June 21st. Interviews for finalists will be held on June 24th. For questions, please contact Rachel Maizel at maizer@vt.edu.

4. GPSS FALL 2024 GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM – 1st posting
The GPSS Fall 2024 Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) is now taking applications! Master’s students are eligible for up to $1000 in funding and doctoral students are eligible for up to $1500 in funding. Past and future GRDP guidelines will differ. Please submit applications by August 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. If you have already submitted an application and would like to amend it, if you have any questions, or if you need an extension, please contact Julia Shapiro juliams22@vt.edu before the application deadline. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjeqI0_MNCpRNGsmooGXbKsw9UNFVRMFcxVEI1RDJLN0NWMFNJMk83NFQ0WS4u.

5. SPECIALIZED GRADUATE WRITING SUPPORT – 1st posting
Graduate students, meet your writing goals this summer! We are offering online services this summer, starting May 20 and ending August 9. Our summer staff consists of all PhD student coaches. Make your appointment today! We offer Synchronous Tutoring Live Online Writing Consultations and Asynchronous Tutoring: 24 hrs. Later Written Feedback. For more information please visit https://vt.mywconline.com/ . For more information about the Writing Center, please contact Jennifer Lawrence, at jlwrnc@vt.edu or Travis Webster, twebster2@vt.edu.      

6. APPLY FOR LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY WITH EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE STUDENT CHAPTER – 2nd posting
Interested in discussions and networking sessions relating to earthquakes practice and research? How about leading a student organization for that purpose? The EERI student chapter of Virginia Tech has the funds and space for that, but we are looking to fill our leadership roles. Please contact Tat Shing Thum tat2@vt.edu for more information. To learn more about EERI visit the website: https://www.eeri.org/

7. FREE INDIVIDUALIZED NUTRITION COUNSELING – 3rd posting
Seeking nutrition guidance? Are you interested in learning how to make food choices that
support a healthy lifestyle? Maybe you need help with skills for shopping and cooking to help you reach your wellness goals. If you have any of these concerns or others, upper-level nutrition students are here to help. The Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise Department at Virginia Tech provides FREE one-on-one nutrition counseling services (In-person or Zoom) to any interested students, faculty, or staff and is now accepting new clients for the fall semester. Visit: https://www.hnfe.vt.edu/nutrition_counseling.html to learn more about the service; and use the following link to sign up: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AVS0qZzdAj.

Jobs

8. HALF-TIME GTA FOR GRAD 5004, GTA WORKSHOP – 1st posting
Will serve as half-time GTA for GRAD 5004 beginning in fall 2024 (along with a full-time GTA). Scheduling and taking attendance for sessions, grading, communicating with students, participating in planning sessions, helping with Phase I workshop. Qualifications: Taken and passed GRAD 5004, GTA experience, well-organized, diligent, multi-tasking, strong communication skills, strong judgment. Start August 2024; possibility to serve for full academic year, possibly beyond. To apply, please email Carrie Mayer at caduke2@vt.edu. Must include in application (1 page max): name, degree program, estimated graduation date, brief summary of GTA experience, brief description of qualifications. Application deadline: June 21, 5 pm EDT.

9. GTA POSITION FOR ORION (SCIENCE) LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY – 2nd posting
The Orion Living-Learning Community (LLC) is looking for a GTA for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. The GTA in this position will work with the Orion Faculty Director to support the peer mentoring program for first and second year Orion students through co-curricular and course-based activities. The successful candidate will have a background experience or degree in STEM or education fields, have experience in or enthusiasm for mentoring programs, and be able to work well with supporting undergraduate science students. The successful applicant will be expected to meet weekly with the Faculty Director (Dr. Temperance Rowell), attend the weekly peer mentoring class (Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30pm), attend some evening/weekend mentor team events to provide administrative support and interact with our community members, work well in a team environment, proactively communicate through email and shared documents, and review/occasionally grade associated course assignments through Canvas (learning management system). Learn more about the Orion LLC here: https://llp.vt.edu/llc/orion.html. Apply here by June 12, 2024: https://forms.office.com/r/wPwn3f4z28

10. WAGE POSITION ASSISTANT COACH, VT COMPETITIVE CHEER TEAM (NON-VARSITY SPORT CLUB TEAM) – 3rd posting
We are looking for an Assistant Coach to work with our Head Coach to help run team practices. Our coaches make decisions about the team’s performance routine that are in the best interest of the team, including, but not limited to, who on the team will be alternates, what skills to include in the performance routine, in addition to making practice plans for the team. Ideally, both coaches will travel with the team to competitions and showcases, in addition to attending most, if not all team practices, which are twice/week in the fall semester and three times/week in the spring semester. Previous cheerleading experience, preferably Level 4-6 or at the collegiate level. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For more information contact: Ava Grace Washington avagrace@vt.edu.

Funding Opportunities
Funding opportunities sponsored by the graduate school can be found here:
https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html
All external funding opportunities that we are aware of can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships.html.

11. FULBRIGHT POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR U.S. CITIZENS – DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
Fellowships are open to researchers in all academic disciplines and support research programs in Israel for up to 20 months (two academic years). These are the primary benefits of the fellowship:  $95,000 scholarship ($47,500 per academic year).  Basic health insurance for the grant, Reimbursement of up to $1,700 for airfare expenses for Fulbright fellows (and spouses), Partial reimbursement of education expenses for children.  Visit the program page: https://fulbright.org.il/USPostdoc. For further information or inquiries, please contact: Noa Turgeman, USprograms@fulbright.org.il

Volunteers and Research Participants Sought

12. GRANATA BIOMECHANICS LAB RECRUITING FOR RESEARCH STUDY UNDERSTANDING BIOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE DURING CHILD CARE RELATED ACTIVITIES – 1st posting
The Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Lab at Virginia Tech is recruiting women who have given birth in the last 6 – 12 months (postpartum) and women who have never been pregnant, for a biomechanical performance study (protocol number 22-1085). Study participation will involve a single 2-hour visit and includes questionnaires, six clinical assessments, and a series of lifting and loading conditions, of a 33 lb. portable car seat, as your movements are tracked. All participants must: be between ages of 18 and 35, not be currently pregnant, not diagnosed with: a postural stability condition affects balance, or a neurologic disorder, not sustained an injury in the last two months that limited physical activity for more than two days, have not had a prior serious leg injury or surgery, and can perform daily tasks of loading and lifting. Eligible postpartum participants need to have given birth in the last 6 months to 1 year, had a vaginal delivery, and have not experienced a grade 4 perineal tear. Participants will have their choice of a Fire Tv Stick or Echo Dot 3rd Gen for their time and effort upon completing the study. For more information or to participate, contact Theresa Libera at theresal@vt.edu.

13. RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS FOR A RESEARCH STUDY OF UNDERSTANDING USER PERCEPTIONS OF DARK PATTERNS WHILE USING SOFTWARE – 1st posting
Researchers at Virginia Tech are looking for participants to fill out a brief survey (IRB #24-138) about dark patterns in online environments. Dark patterns are user interface design choices crafted to manipulate, deceive, or trick users into taking actions that they might not otherwise choose to do. We are interested in users’ awareness and reaction to different examples of dark patterns commonly used online. The survey link is available below and should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. After finishing the survey, participants will be compensated with a $10 Amazon gift card. Please contact Huayu Liang at huayu98@vt.edu with any questions or for more information. Access the survey through: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBdK4UAEdYj8sxG2ySDvRZfcBc2j5STjDVtIqyuXACw7QXIA/viewform.

14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HUMAN EVALUATION OF ETD CHAPTER SUMMARIES AND CLASSIFICATION LABELS – 2nd posting
We are seeking participants for evaluating ETD chapter summaries and classification labels (IRB #23-687). We are conducting a study to evaluate automatically generated chapter summary and chapter classification labels for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). We are looking for research participants who meet the following criteria: Current graduate student or faculty member at Virginia Tech; Regularly read and use academic research papers;18 years of age or older. Participants will need to complete the study in one sitting lasting approximately 30 minutes. The study takes place remotely. If interested, please contact Bipasha Banerjee at bipashabanerjee@vt.edu.

15. RECRUITING YOUNG ADULTS WITH ADHD FOR BRAIN STUDY – 3rd posting
Participate in a series of study sessions on attention tasks at the Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg. Study tasks include a questionnaire, games, and MRI scan. Participant qualifications: 18-40 y/o diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) eligible for an MRI. + Compensation: $20 per hour + additional $0.20 per mile for round trip if traveling from outside of Montgomery County, VA. For more information contact Joshua Neal by emailing: andlab@vt.edu.

Upcoming Events

16. SCIENCE ON TAP – READING THE ROCKS
Thursday, June 27, 5:30-7pm, Rising Silo Brewery
Join us for Science on Tap: “Reading the Rocks: What rocks tell us about the history of the Earth, in the NRV, and beyond,” on June 27th at 5:30 p.m. at Rising Silo Brewery in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech graduate student Amy Hagen will describe how scientists use rocks to learn about the history of the Earth and how you can apply the same tools to rocks in your own backyard. After seeing some examples of local rocks and fossils, try your hand at ‘reading’ some mystery rocks! This event is free and open to the public and is hosted by the Center for Communicating Science and the VT Sigma Xi chapter. Science on Tap is held monthly of 4th Thursdays of the month. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact scienceontapnrv@gmail.com at least ten days before the event.