Trainee Resources

Resources

Current MRSEC-Affiliated Students and Postdoctoral Researchers

UC San Diego MRSEC deeply values its participant engagement in and contribution to non-research, Center-sponsored E&O activities that advance access and equity in materials science and engineering. The benefits are not only external; beyond enjoyment and satisfaction derived from impacting the lives of others, trainees can expect to gain new perspectives and practice in science communication. To convey our commitment to these efforts, all MRSEC trainees are expected to contribute at least 32 hours per year to MRSEC-specific E&O activities. These efforts are endorsed by MRSEC faculty advisors, who also take part.

The Center offers a wide range of engagement opportunities throughout the academic year and summer period, which members can select from based on their preferences, interest, and unique strengths. Examples of engagement activities include co-facilitating an interactive table/booth exhibit on or off campus, assisting with community outreach events, preparing supplies and materials for demos and hands-on activities, and presenting about MRSEC-supported research at UC San Diego or at local K-12/high schools, among others.

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For a list of specific current activities and initiatives you can get involved in, click here. For additional information, contact Janka Bond at j2bond@ucsd.edu. UC San Diego MRSEC trainees can self-report their hours of participation in UC San Diego MRSEC education and outreach effort using this online log.

 

Join the UC San Diego MRSEC Trainee Leadership Advisory Council (TLAC)!

TLAC serves as a liaison between MRSEC trainees and MRSEC leadership, providing a means to identify trainee issues and concerns, and foster trainees' academic and professional growth as interdisciplinary research scholars. The MRSEC TLAC facilitates MRSEC trainee engagement in education, outreach, and diversity initiatives, the planning and coordination of MRSEC educational, social and team building activities,  identifies speakers/seminar presenters, and assists MRSEC leadership with identifying best practices for increasing diversity and inclusion among MRSEC participants. In addition to fulfilling the UCSD MRSEC Member Participation in E&O Requirement (funded trainees are required to contribute a minimum of 32 hours per year in the MRSEC E&O activities), TLAC members are eligible for the TLAC Benefit Program (more info below). TLAC members benefit from developing & improving communication, leadership, and strategic planning skills,  interpersonal interaction and group dynamics skills, building resumes, and expanding their professional networks! MRSEC TLAC Team Leads are appointed for a 2-year term, all other roles are appointed for a 1-year term.

Current TLAC members can be viewed here. Recruitment for open positions, as available, are scheduled for December and June of each year. Appointment effective dates are August 1 and February 1st. Trainees can nominate another trainee or self-nominate, using the Nomination Form. Please make sure nominee(s) can serve the entirety of a 1-year appointment.

*NEW* TLAC Benefits

UC San Diego MRSEC Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers who have completed at least 6 months of service on the Trainee Leadership Advisory Council (TLAC) are eligible to receive TLAC Benefits. Trainees can submit a request for funds to support their MRSEC research, including professional development and training opportunities, conference attendance, laptops/tablets, monitors, and other electronics; and other products and services using the TLAC Benefit Request Form. Upon completion of form, please email mrsec@ucsd.edu to notify MRSEC admin and TLAC leads. All requests are subject to approval by MRSEC leadership.

  • TLAC Team Leads are eligible for up to $3,000 annually, to support their MRSEC research activities.
  • TLAC Division Members eligible for up to $2,000 annually, to support their MRSEC research activities. 

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All electronics/equipment must remain property of the UC San Diego MRSEC and should be returned to MRSEC after the trainee graduates or leaves UC San Diego. Please email the MRSEC facilities managers before your MRSEC affiliation ends to coordinate the return details.

TLAC positions are eligible to be added to students' co-curricular records. Students serving in these positions can add their position to their CCR by logging into http://myccr.ucsd.edu/ and clicking on the "Add a Position to My Record" button to search for and add the activity to their CCR

 

Professional Development & Career Resources for MRSEC Trainees

San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure (SDNI)

SDNI C.E.N.T.E.R (Center of Excellence for Nano Technology Educational Resources)
C.E.N.T.E.R. is the Education arm of the SDNI and aims to provide guidance and assistance to educators (K-12, Community Colleges, and 4-years Universities) desirous of developing nanotechnology curriculum and providing education in the field. In the process, they have been and will continue to be very thorough about ensuring the alignment of nanotechnology content with the Next Generation Science Standards for K-12 education. The SDNI outreach program’s goal is to facilitate the development of Nanotechnology curriculum and its integration to the entire K-12 and Community College education systems across California by 2025 (The California NanoTech 2025 Project). In order to achieve this ambitious goal, SDNI intends to create strategic alliances with teachers and administrators operating in schools, community colleges, school district offices, and county offices of education.

SDNI Job Bulletin Board

  IDEA Engineering Student Center

Current Graduate Students Resources

Engineering Graduate & Scholarly Talks: Series of academic, professional, and technical training workshops open to all graduate and postdoctoral engineering students at the Jacobs School of Engineering. 

Fridays, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (Fall 2021 Schedule is being finalized)
POC: Sinai Kota, sicota@eng.ucsd.edu

UC San Diego Career Center

Handshake

Graduate Student Lunch & Learn

Alumni 101 Speaker Series: discussions on networking, job and internship searching, mentorship, and other topics
POC: Giulia Hoffmann, Senior Associate Director, UC San Diego Career Center
gkhoffmann@ucsd.edu | 858.534.0141 | gradcareers.ucsd.edu

Students and Postdoctoral Researchers from UC San Diego and External Institutions

 

Students and postdoctoral researchers interested in getting involved in UC San Diego MRSEC projects are welcome to:

  • Submit an application to participate in the Research Immersion in Materials Science & Engineering (RIMSE) Spring Break Experience, or in one of the Research Immersion in Materials Science & Engineering (RIMSE) Summer Schools. Details on how to apply can be found on our website.
  • Contact any of the of MRSEC-affiliated faculty regarding opportunities for research collaboration in their laboratories. More information can be found on the Research - IRG1 and Research - IRG2 webpages.