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Ben Parker

@ben-parker.bsky.social
1K followers 865 following 24 posts

Assistant Professor @ UNC Chapel Hill Biology. Symbiosis, immunity, evolution, insects Parkerlab.net

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Reposted by Ben Parker
Brett Baker @archaeal.bsky.social · 15h
Two Assistant Professor Positions in Evolutionary Biology and Mechanistic Processes - including microbes! faculty.utexas.edu/career/191568
faculty.utexas.edu
Faculty Careers - The University of Texas at Austin
Unleash your intellectual power by joining a world-renowned faculty that is solving the world's most urgent problems. At UT Austin, we provide you the freedom to blaze trails, follow your curiosity, e...
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Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Are you looking for a postdoc exploring the cell biology of development, defining how cells change shape and move? Do you want to develop a research program & teaching skills preparing you for a position at a college or small University? Our new NIH grant will support those goals 1/n Please share
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Kacy Gordon @kacylynn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
JOB ALERT: UNC Bio is hiring 2 tenure track assistant profs doing molecular, cell, and dev bio. The search is intentionally broad, so please share widely and spread the word! Find more information and apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/325... Application review begins Nov 1.
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Matt Bertone @bertonemyia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🚨 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Please share! We're looking for an entomologist to join our dept.! I'm excited as it's broadly advertised to find someone who can build a stellar teaching program w/research on insect ecology. Deadline is tight (end of Oct.). Read more & apply at jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/235...
Flyer that says: 

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
AND PLANT PATHOLOGY

We're hiring!

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is seeking applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Insect Ecology (60% teaching/40% research). The position will play a central role in the department’s undergraduate curriculum, including ENT 201: Insects and People, as well as additional undergraduate and graduate courses. The position also provides an opportunity to build a nationally recognized research program in insect ecology, secure external funding, and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead instruction for ENT 201: Insects and People and teach additional courses using effective, technology-enhanced approaches. Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs.

Establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in insect ecology (e.g., behavior, plant–insect interactions, community ecology, conservation, or global change biology). Publish in peer-reviewed journals and engage students in research.

Contribute to departmental, college, and university service, engage with scientific societies, review manuscripts and grant proposals, and participate in outreach.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Demonstrated teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

Expertise in one or more areas of insect ecology (e.g., IPM, invasive species, pollination biology, vector ecology, trophic interactions, global change, or molecular/community ecology).

Ph.D. in Entomology or a related field, with a proven publication and funding track record (as PI/Co-PI or lead author).

JOIN OUR TEAM!

For more information and to submit your application, please visit:
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/234875
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Erin Hotchkiss @fluvialbenthos.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We (Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech) are #hiring TWO tenure-track Molecular Microbiology professors! Review of applications starts 1 Nov. I'm happy to answer questions about the department, VT, life in Blacksburg, etc.! More info / to apply: jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/assista... 🧪👩‍🔬🦠 #academicjobs
jobs.apply.vt.edu
Assistant/Associate Professor - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Job Description The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for two (2) tenure-track research and teaching positions at the Assistant/Associate ...
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Ben Parker @ben-parker.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Excited that our new paper with @henrylabsymbio.bsky.social and Kerry Oliver is out @pnas.org! We show that mobile genetic elements can spread adaptive host-benefiting traits across heritable insect symbionts on eco-evolutionary timescales.🧵 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
pnas.org
Phenotypic divergence is driven by mobile genetic elements in a heritable insect symbiont | PNAS
Heritable microbes profoundly influence insect biology, yet the traits they confer often evolve rapidly and differ among closely related symbiont s...
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Jason Rasgon @vectorgen.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Banger of a new RasgonLab study by Drs. Najmeh Nejat and Travis van Warmerdam on a new arthropod germline CRISPR delivery system. Knock-out AND knock-in by ORAL delivery! No more injections! Germline Engineering by Viral transduction (GEValT)
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Jaap de Roode @jaapderoode.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
So excited to share that the Department of Biology @emoryuniversity.bsky.social is hiring an open-rank faculty member in the area of ecology. Happy to answer any questions. Please share! 🧪 apply.interfolio.com/191783
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Diversify Microbiology @diversifymicro.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
UNC Greensboro Department of Biology is hiring for three positions this year including one in microbiology! spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/35918
spartantalent.uncg.edu
Assistant Professor Microbiology
The Department of Biology at UNC Greensboro (UNCG) seeks an individual with a strong record of accomplishment in microbiology broadly defined for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assista...
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Ellen O. Martinson @waspvenom.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The Martinson lab is looking for new PhD students! We have so much cool data and need help making sense of it all! If interested please contact me!
Flyer for position in Plant Genome Manipulation by Insects "We are looking for new members of our team to work on the molecular mechanisms behind gall induction. A gall is an abnormal growth on a plant that is induced by another organism (i.e., bacteria, fungi, mites, insects). Insect-induced galls are the most complex type, creating structures and pigments not seen in the normal development of the host plant. The insect evades host defenses and co-opts control of plant development redirecting resources away from the plant to create a structure comprised of multiple tissues that both provide nutrition to the insect’s offspring as well as protects them from harm. While some progress has been made in individual systems, we still do not understand how any insect induces a gall to form or whether the mechanisms behind this complex manipulation are conserved across galling species. The Martinson lab works in three independent galling systems to try to understand molecular toolkit used to hijack plant development is shared across distantly related gall-inducing insects or whether each lineage has evolved its own unique suite of effectors and signaling strategies. " If interested email emartinson@unm.edu.
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Brian J. Enquist @bjenquist.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Thrilled to announce that my department - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - at the U of Arizona will likely be hiring for a tenure-track position in "Population and Community Ecology" this fall. Watch this space for more details and official announcements coming soon ... #Ecology #EcologyJobs 🌐🌾🧪
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Zen Faulkes @doctorzen.net · 27/08/2026
The real American 🇺🇸 “brain drain” isn’t that a few established scholars might get new jobs outside the US, it’s the enormous number of grad students - particularly international grad students - who can’t or won’t study in the US now or in years to come. That’s the body blow.
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Patrick R. Secor @prsecor.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I’ll soon be #Hiring a postdoc to join the Secor Lab at Montana State University. This NIH-funded position will investigate phage biology in Lyme disease spirochetes. The official ad will be available soon. Please share with anyone who might be interested! #MicroSky #PhageSky 🔬🦠🧪🧫
An engorged tick with fluorescent bacteria in its midgut
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Bénédicte C @benecal.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Universities sue administration over visa limits for students and post docs. www.statnews.com/2026/08/18/d...
statnews.com
Trump administration sued over visa time limit that would affect grad students, postdocs
DHS was sued Tuesday over a sweeping policy change that would limit how long foreign students and scholars can remain in the U.S.
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Mark A. Hanson @hansonmark.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
HIRING MICROBIOLOGIST: effective start asap! The PDRA/PDRF (per xp) will investigate the interactions of bumblebee antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with the gut microbiota & more. Our work has shown AMPs have striking specificity for ecological microbes. careers.exeter.ac.uk/vacancies/13... 1/2
careers.exeter.ac.uk
Postdoctoral Researcher Associate or Fellow in Cornwall | University of Exeter
View details and apply for this Postdoctoral Researcher Associate or Fellow vacancy in Cornwall. Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow This job is part of an Advanced Research + Inventio...
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anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
NIH is planning on revoking eligibility for international students on visas for the K99/R00 pathway, a key program that supports postdocs in establishing their own labs www.statnews.com/2026/08/07/n...
statnews.com
NIH plans to block international researchers on visas from accessing key funding avenue
The NIH plans to close the door on one of the few pathways available to international students on visas to forge a career in biomedical research in the U.S.
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Lars Brudvig @lars-brudvig.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Join us through the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship in EEB! Conduct your own research, mentored by 2+ EEB faculty. $65k salary + research/moving $. All areas of EEB welcome. Apply by 11/1 I co-chair this search and am happy to field questions Spread the word! eeb.msu.edu/initiatives/...
eeb.msu.edu
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
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I-75 Scientist @flscitriguy.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Guidance on new DMS plans. Applications under review will need to submit new ones with JIT, new plans will be expected with RPPRs for active awards. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov
NOT-OD-26-100: Implementation Update: NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Requirements
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Implementation Update: NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Requirements NOT-OD-26-100. NIH
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Moi Expósito-Alonso (MOILAB) @mexpositoalonso.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The prestigious Miller Research Postdoctoral Fellowship is open! University of California, Berkeley This is a postdoc fellowship with substantial support and independence to be hosted at a lab at Berkeley, reach out with interests! miller.berkeley.edu/nominate-app...
miller.berkeley.edu
Miller Research Fellowship | Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science
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JCarlos Villarreal @jcarlosvillarreal.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
5 (+?) independent plant lineages evolved to text the same bacteria for nitrogen. we just need to learn the language they're using. www.cell.com/trends/plant...
cell.com
Plant–cyanobacterial symbioses: mutualism with emerging translational possibilities
Engineering rhizobial–plant nitrogen fixation in crops is a major goal in plant synthetic biology. We propose expanding efforts to plant–cyanobacterial symbioses as an alternative path. Targeting the ...
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Fabien Burki @fburki.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Very happy something like this is now available. In protist diversity research we use the rDNA extensively, but I for one doesn't know enough about it's structure, variation, and implications www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
annualreviews.org
Organization of Ribosomal RNA Genes in Eukaryotes
In eukaryotes, ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) encode the major ribosomal RNA molecules and are typically organized into a distinctive genomic structure involving tandem repetition of a polycistronic codin...
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Daniel Bolnick @danielbolnick.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I contacted my NIH PO about the new rules requiring reporting foreign co-authorships on papers that acknowledge NIH support. Here's a summary of what I heard back: 1) NIH POs are confused about this too & fear a massive workload as a consequence 2) PIs should report co-authorships in their RPPR /t
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Conference on Beneficial Microbes @benmicrobesmtg.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
The 2026 Conference on Beneficial Microbes will be co-organized with the International Symbiosis Society from July 19th - July 23rd. Its not too late to register! #BeneficialMicrobes10 #BeneficialMicrobesMtg #ISS #SymbioSky
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Nancy Moran @nancy-moran.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
A step forward in discovering Buchnera's key to the aphid's heart, published today! Thanks to Jerry Maeda and other authors--a great team -- and to the helpful reviewers #SymbioSky doi: doi.org/10.1038/s415...
doi.org
A secreted endosymbiont protein essential for colonizing host cells - Nature
SyeA was present in the Buchnera ancestor, is secreted into the host cytoplasm, is homologous to secreted effectors of bacterial pathogens and is essential for Buchnera transmission.
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Phillip Cleves @pcleves.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Our work on the symbiont-containing organelle that supports coral reefs is published today. Also, new genetic tools to study symbiosis in both corals and Aiptasia. Great work by Shumpei Maruyama, Cat Henderson, and the rest of the fantastic team. #SymbioSky www.cell.com/cell/abstrac...
cell.com
Co-option of lysosomal machinery shapes the evolution of the intracellular photosymbiosis supporting coral reefs
Corals harbor intracellular algal symbionts in specialized organelles that enable them to build diverse reef ecosystems. Corals and other cnidarians have repeatedly evolved this symbiosis through the ...
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Anna Schapiro @annaschapiro.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
PSA for trainees cold emailing with interest in joining a lab: Be careful about your use of LLMs in writing these emails!! It is now *extremely* common to get emails with a bizarrely-detailed, clearly-LLM take on a paper finding or with specific phrases pulled from the lab website. Don’t do this!
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Laura K. Jennings @laurakjennings.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
📢 We're hiring! The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Microbiology. We welcome applicants working in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, genetics, microbial evolution, and related areas. Apply: jobs.montana.edu/postings/52009
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Damon Seils @damonseils.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
"The Invisible Network: Chapel Hill’s (and Carrboro's) Hidden Transportation System," based on master's-degree research by @jason-merrill-llc.bsky.social, who also spends a little time as a member of the Carrboro Town Council. www.shiftchc.org/news/the-inv...
shiftchc.org
The Invisible Network: Chapel Hill’s Hidden Transportation System — Shift Chapel Hill-Carrboro
There is a dense fabric of natural surface trails woven through Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and you’ve likely used them when cutting through the woods behind a neighborhood or taking a dirt path to a sc...
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Chrystal Starbird @drstarbird.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
www.wunc.org/education/20...
wunc.org
UNC-Chapel Hill falling further behind peer schools in faculty salary pay
UNC-Chapel Hill has been lagging behind peer universities for years in how much it pays faculty. Some professors are warning that the large pay gaps are impacting recruitment and retention.
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Gavin Schmidt @climateofgavin.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
H1B visas were historically key for postdocs and research scientists (and future PIs and professors) - and the fee threatened to totally derail that pipeline. This is good news.
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Parul Johri @johriparul.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
We are actively searching for a postdoc to join the lab! Details provided here - johrilab.org/join Please share. I will be at PEQG and will be happy to chat if you're interested!
johrilab.org
Join | JohriLab
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Reese Richardson @reeserichardson.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The Thermo Fisher situation keeps getting worse. We've now collected 450+ problematic images presented as verification data in TF's antibody catalog. This includes: 🖌️ Dozens more images with duplications or painting 🖨️ Hundreds of blots that all share the same background (behold slideshow below)
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Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
“NOTE: The NIH has not yet provided guidance for how to request the addition of more international project components to an existing awarded PF5 project.“
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I-75 Scientist @flscitriguy.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Some more on foreign components. grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov
Acknowledging Foreign Components throughout NIH Application and Award Processes | Grants & Funding
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Gordon Bennett @symboevo.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I’m excited to share a new paper out today led by Dr. Younghwan Kwak. Cool story on symbiont genomic variation within individual hosts. (And, also, just an impressive display of -omics skill). academic.oup.com/mbe/advance-...
academic.oup.com
Intrahost mutational dynamics parallel long-term genome evolution in endosymbionts
Abstract. Obligate endosymbionts of insects undergo extreme genome evolution, marked by accelerated molecular evolution, severe base-pair compositional bia
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Ben Parker @ben-parker.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
NSF BIO is having office hours on 6/17 about the new PRFB. Hopefully, we learn if the new solicitation means "use machine learning tools in pursuit of your biological questions" or if this program is also steering the questions themselves. www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-b...
nsf.gov
NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour: Updates from the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences
Looking for postdoctoral support? Join us to learn about NSF BIO Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology.
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Patrick S. Mitchell @psmitchej.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Thrilled to announce that the Department of Microbiology at the University of Washington, School of Medicine is hiring at the Assistant Professor level (tenure-track)! The Pacific Northwest is an awesome place to live and do science 🧪🦠. Join us! apply.interfolio.com/185622 Applications due 8/1.
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Jonathan Eisen @phylogenomics.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
A very important preprint to check out: The holobiont is not a useful model for most host-microbiome interactions By Gavin M Douglas an S. Andrew Inkpen ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...
ecoevorxiv.org
The holobiont is not a useful model for most host-microbiome interactions
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Dan Schrider @samurscicop.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Update! The posting for the postdoc opening in my lab is up! Apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/319...
unc.peopleadmin.com
Post-Doc Research Associate (Schrider)
The Schrider Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is hiring a postdoc in population genetics and/or phylogenetics. The successful candidate will help design and carry out projects re...
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Gina Baucom @gbaucom.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Did you know SSE is running a fundraiser to expand our graduate student research awards? If you can donate, any amount helps!
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Governor Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
It is past time that our teachers, state law enforcement officers, and state employees get a meaningful pay raise and recognition for their service to the people of North Carolina.
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Maureen Barr @barrlab.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY!!! The Rutgers IRACDA program is phenomenal: 70% of postdoctoral fellows land faculty positions. Martha Soto (LinkedIn below) is the amazing director and leader of this program. Please apply or reach out if you have questions. www.linkedin.com/posts/martha...
linkedin.com
INSPIRE is recruiting! Please share broadly with senior graduate students and beginning postdocs. INSPIRE, the NIH-funded Rutgers-IRACDA, offers postdoctoral training for individuals interested in… | ...
INSPIRE is recruiting! Please share broadly with senior graduate students and beginning postdocs. INSPIRE, the NIH-funded Rutgers-IRACDA, offers postdoctoral training for individuals interested in com...
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Teresa O'Meara @teresaomeara.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
We are hiring @umichmicroimmuno.bsky.social ! Tenure-track assistant professor position in our Microbiology and Immunology department. We are especially looking for someone working in bacterial pathogenesis
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Penn State Department of Biology @psubiodept.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
🌱 We’re hiring in Plant Biology at Penn State! The Department of Biology at Penn State University Park is searching for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in any area of plant biology.
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Lauren Palmer @laurenpalmer.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
🚨Faculty job search: University of Illinois Chicago Micro & Immuno department is hiring! Open rank and open area within host-pathogen interactions. Apply by May 31 to join us in UI College of Medicine in the heart of Chicago! uic.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Image of UIC sculpture, recreation center, and Medical Sciences Building
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Jeff (Hot Type) Jarvis @jeffjarvis.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
WTF, NYer. "If we agree that college primarily serves a credentialling process that stamps select young people as worthy of work..." We do not. So much for the bastion of erudite journalism. This is sensationalism, damaging our most vital institution: education. www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
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Simons Foundation @simonsfoundation.org · 01/05/2026
Now accepting applications for our 2027 Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution! These awards support students entering U.S.-based Ph.D. programs to conduct #ecology and #evolution research. Deadline is June 30, 2026: bit.ly/4umYKZd #science
bit.ly
Applications for 2027 Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution Now Open
The Simons Foundation’s Life Sciences division is now accepting applications for its 2027 Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution.
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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Update on NSF grant funding: As of April 27, NSF has spent money on 737 new grants for FY26. Avg. for '21–25 at this point is 3303, so NSF is at about 22%. grant-witness.us/funding_curv...
Cumulative number of awards. FY26 is 22% of average, a large outlier.
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