Thursday, May 30, 2013

May newsletter

EVENTS

Masterclasses for SMEs 
Learn basic principles with a particular emphasis on cash flow, understanding financial statements, account systems, tax and filing returns.
Securing suitable funding18 June
This practical and interactive course will help you understand the pros and cons of different kinds of finance, understand how to identify sources of finance, and secure funds by submitting compelling applications for funding.
Key Challenge event – Growing whatever the weather, 26 June
Investigating the impact of unpredictable weather events and warming climate on water availability – floods and drought – and pests and diseases in crop plants.
Further information (including July and August Masterclass dates)
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Society of Chemical Industry:  SCI Young Researchers in Agrisciences 2013, 2 July
University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading
Crop Production, Protection, Utilisation
This event is for early career scientists working in biological, chemical, environmental and other relevant sciences and all interested in learning about progress and meeting new talent in agrisciences.
CPPS Members are eligible for a discount.
Early Bird Fees before 2 June: £29 SCI/CPPS Members
Standard Fees after 2 June: £45 SCI/CPPS Members
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Boxworth Open Day: 5 June, 12-4pm
Battlegate Road, Boxworth, CB23 4NN
Meet the experts and find out about:
• Weed management options for wheat & OSR
• Benefits of cover crops for black-grass control
• Herbicide resistance: grasses and broad-leaved weeds
• Disease control in wheat and oilseed rape
• Control of weeds, pests & diseases for horticulture
• Repairing damaged soils
• Managing thin/backward crops
• The Yield Enhancement Network – competing to increase
yields
Further information
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EMBO Practical Course: ‘Multi-level Modelling of Morphogenesis’ 14-26 July
Main Course Objective:
Understanding the multi-level nature and feedbacks involved in biological development requires an integrated, systems biology approach.
Target Audience:
This practical course is aimed at experimental biologists with an interest to understand and explore how the complexity of biological systems can be dealt with within a mathematical or computational framework, *and* at computationally and mathematically oriented students interested in learning leading-edge computational techniques that can be applied to gain insights in developmental biology.

Please register online at:
https://www.conference-service.com/pc13-45/welcome.cgi

Deadline for registrations:
31 May

Further information
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Short Course – Water Security for Policy Makers and Practitioners, 10-14 June, UEA, Norwich, UK
The course is designed for entry and mid-level water and development policy-makers and professionals in government, donor, NGO or implementing agencies, environmental journalists, consultants and activists wishing to take their knowledge of water resources further.

For further information and to apply please follow the link below  or contact Sarah Gore on devco.train@uea.ac.uk.

Cost: £1500 including all tuition and B&B accommodation from Sunday 9 June.
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CUEN Annual Energy Conference on SMART CITIES AND SMART ENERGY 18 June
Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge
Throughout the day, distinguished speakers will address the challenges and potentials regarding our future electricity and energy system and will engage in discussions with the audience. In four sessions the conference will focus on smart cities, urban planning, smart materials, energy storage and smart grids.
The event is also intended for people with a general interest in energy, opening up a discussion between different points of view on the topics of smart cities and smart energy.
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Organic Research Centre Wakelyns Agroforestry Open Day 26 June
Agro-ecology: Science and Practice for Sustainable Farming
Metfield Lane, Fressingield, Eye, Suffolk, IP21 5SD
Experts will offer challenging views on the use of energy in society and agriculture, showing how the application of agro-ecology to crop production can improve energy balances while maintaining biodiversity in agricultural systems,
Cost: £30 + VAT per person including lunch and refreshments
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NEWS

BBSRC survey: views on research areas and technological developments for the next 5-10 years
Please provide your thoughts by taking part in the short survey by 3 June
As part of its long-term strategic planning, BBSRC is seeking your views on the research areas and technological developments which will be most exciting and important in bioscience over the next 5-10 years.
Ideas put forward through this exercise will be discussed by members of BBSRC's governing Council and wider strategic advisory network as part of a workshop to be held at the beginning of June 2013. Outcomes will help inform BBSRC's long-term planning, including input to future Government Spending Reviews.
Anyone is welcome to respond, but BBSRC is particularly keen to gather input from PhD students and post-doctoral researchers.

Further information
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National Farm Pollinator Survey
Scientist Volunteers needed 
to help farm visitors become citizen scientists! Open Farm Sunday 9 June
Can you help?
Volunteer scientists are needed to help with the pollinator survey on selected farms on this years’ Open Farm Sunday.

The main focus will be to:
1.     Conduct a survey in the morning and in the afternoon – as a scientific dataset
2.     Raise awareness of the Pollinator Survey at the event and encourage visitors to take part
3.     Act as an on-site expert in order to smooth the way and inspire a new generation of scientists 
The aim is for the public to spot and record on a survey form the pollinators that visit flowers on a farm. By taking part in the Pollinator Survey the visitors will learn about the vital role insects can play in pollination and many of the foods they enjoy every day.  The large-scale dataset will provide a unique resource for exploring relationships between insect abundance and land use and demonstrates the value of flowering field margins and other non-crop habitats on farms.

For further information and to offer your help and support, please contact: Candace Robb or Annabel Shackleton
Email:  openfarmsunday@leafuk.org
Tel:  024 7641 3911
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Join the bioenergy discussion 
BBSRC has launched a new toolkit to encourage researchers and the general public to engage in a national conversation about bioenergy. The Bioenergy Dialogue Toolkit provides a range of resources including a 'Democs' bioenergy game, potential future scenarios, and guidelines to help people plan and run dialogue events this summer.
An event will be run in Cambridge on 8 June 2013, 2pm-4pm - (venue to be confirmed, more information will be sent shortly)
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JOBS and Studentships

Research Group Leader, Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University
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Trials Officer 4 Month Vacancy, 31 May
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Post Doctroral Researcher, 10 June
Metabolic Biology: Towards the synthetic terpenome - Making new metabolic pathways using synthetic biology approaches
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KWS
KWS are recruiting for summer vacation work placements (Harvest and Production Assistants)
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Enterprise Campus Project Director, 28 May
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Applications are now open for 2013/14: MSc Water Security and International Development at the University of East Anglia
The degree is the flagship of the UEA Water Security Research Centre. The 12-month MSc prepares students for employment opportunities with non-governmental organisations, government aid agencies, and multilateral organisations.
Please apply online, or for queries and informal discussion, contact Mark Zeitoun at M.Zeitoun@uea.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)1603 593232.
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FUNDING

£8.5 million Nutrition for Life competition is now open. This competition will fund R&D projects which stimulate innovation in the food and drink sector with an emphasis on providing healthy and safe foods.
Competition Scope:
The call includes both Feasibility and Collaborative R&D projects within the following scope;
* Integrating technologies to assist nutrient absorption
* Nutrient regulation and delivery
* Novel and healthier foods
* Safety, authenticity and traceability
* Production and Processing of food/nutrients
To find more about the scope of the competition, view this video from Nick Bassett (Lead Technologist, Technology Strategy Board)

Register for the competition: Providing Safe and Healthy Foods
Nutrition for Life Feasibility Studies (£50k-100k, 6 - 12 month projects)
Nutrition for Life Collaborative R&D (£250k to £1m, 1 - 3 year projects) 
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BBSRC calls:
Application deadline: 11 July
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