SEEN 2.11

Dear all,

I hope you had a good Easter break. This is the penultimate edition of SEEN for 2011-12, so please send in your links for the last edition, which I’ll send out in a fortnight.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Judith

Careers

Graduate information analyst position at Centre for Workforce Intelligence (CfWI)
We are currently recruiting an information analyst to join the Centre for Workforce Intelligence (CfWI), within Mouchel Management Consulting at a graduate/post graduate level. The position is for a 12 month fixed term contract with a view to extend in the future. This individual would be primarily based at our Winchester office, though some travel would be required to London and the surrounding areas.

Full details are provided at the link below:

http://www.mouchel.com/careers/featured_vacancies/centreforworkforceintelligence/default.aspx

Placements

3^rd years, the wait is over! Our biodiversity research exchange partnerships with local partners are now being advertised! Currently positions are advertised with Southampton City Council and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Positions with Marwell Wildlife (local ecology) will shortly also be available. More details here:

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/employability/workexperience/excel_southampton_uk_201112.html

You will need to complete an application form and email to Placements@soton.ac.uk along with their CV. Deadline 13th May.

Other opportunities

Catherine Chatters at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust: Jo and I would be grateful for some help with survey work during the summer. We need a lot of survey work along the tributaries of the River Avon, especially now that Jo is working on a major joint project with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to tackle invasive non-native plants along the River Avon and its tributaries.

John Poland at Hampshire Ecological Consultants: we are very keen to offer summer placements. There are still opportunities for third year students (and some 1st and 2nd year assistants) to shadow us on various projects. We can offer expenses (and paid positions where possible).

If you are interested in either opportunity, please let me know.

Biosoc

BioSoc conclude this year’s seminar series with special guest speaker on Friday 27^th April at 4pm in Turner Sims, Nobel laureate Dr Venki Ramakrishnan, who is visiting from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge.
In 2009 the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded to Venkatraman ‘Venki’ Ramakrishnan, Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath “for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome”. Proteins are synthesised at ribosomes in the translation of the genetic code, and subsequently control the chemistry of all living organisms. Through rigorous biochemistry they obtained crystalline forms of bacterial ribosome and analysed how the crystals scattered x-rays in order to determine their atomic structure.
Dr Ramakrishnan’s research, although centred on the biochemical, has significant applications in medical research; these crystal ribosomal structures can be attached to antibiotics to reveal how they work against bacteria, thus providing insight into how potency can be improved against drug-resistant strains. Furthermore, Dr Ramakrishnan was also honoured with a knighthood in the New Year Honours List 2012, for services to molecular biology. This is a unique opportunity to engage with a pioneer in science at the forefront of cutting edge research, that is making its mark in history.
In his talk, Dr Ramakrishnan will take us on a captivating journey along the road to the structure of the ribosome.
Refreshments including wine and snacks will be provided afterwards. This event is open to all.

For updates, join the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/events/327075387353916/
For his article on the structure of the 30S ribosomal subunit: http://www-biology.ucsd.edu:1705/classes/old.web.classes/bggn220.FA01/Wimberly.pdf
For current information about his lab: http://www.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/ribo/homepage/ramak/index.html.

Darwin reading club

We have now read 10 chapters of 14, reading 11 and 12 for our next meeting on Tuesday (1pm 2/2043, you are all still very welcome to attend). We are considering organising a trip to Down House at the start of June. Please let me know if you’d be interested.

In the news

Joanna Aylott (2^nd year Biology) sent this to me a while ago but it got lost in my inbox (thanks and sorry Jo!):

Hiding stick insect!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/02/24/147367644/six-legged-giant-finds-secret-hideaway-hides-for-80-years

Photo competition

http://www.societyofbiology.org/newsandevents/photocomp?draftsection=pages_draft&preview=true

7 short films about evolutionary research

http://www.evolution-of-life.com/en/observe.html

FoldIt

http://blogs.nature.com/spoonful/2012/04/foldit-games-next-play-crowdsourcing-better-drug-design.html?WT.mc_id=TWT_NatureBlogs

Game theory in action

http://gawker.com/5903692/must-watch-golden-balls-contestant-wins-with-most-ballsy-move-ever