Early Career Assistance Through Charitable Bursaries - Royal Microscopical Society, UK

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 17 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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As part of its remit to teach and improve microscopy, the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) will be offering a number of charitable bursaries and free training opportunities at this summer's MICROSCIENCE 2008 at London's ExCeL, 23-26 June. This is to ensure that everyone, particularly those in the early stages of their careers, has a chance to attend this major biennial international conference and exhibition, covering all aspects of microscopy, imaging and analysis. This will provide the opportunity for all attendees to update and improve their microscopy skills for career development purposes.

Many attractions of MICROSCIENCE 2008 are free to all, including the exhibition, new technology workshops and the RMS Learning Zone. Registration for the three day scientific conference also offers excellent value, particularly to early career researchers and technicians, who can register at a special rate of just £85 for the full 3-days.

A generous bursary fund has been established to support attendance at MICROSCIENCE 2008; these bursaries contribute to the cost of registration, travel and accommodation. In addition, employees at BBSRC Institutes can apply to the RMS for bursaries for the Society for General Microbiology (SGM) satellite meeting, running in parallel with MICROSCIENCE 2008.

The use of training budgets to support attendance should also be considered, since the RMS Learning Zone is in operation for the full three days of the Conference. Operating as a free "turn-up and learn" facility, visitors can meet renowned RMS experts and discuss the microscopical challenges that they may face. In addition to meeting the experts and live demonstrations, a series of lectures on light microscopy, electron microscopy and digital imaging will run each day. Held within the Learning Zone's own lecture theatre, these provide an excellent introduction to the core microscopy subjects, with certificates of attendance available to support training requirements.

"Having a good grasp of the basic theories and practices of microscopy is a vitally important step to carrying out meaningful research, and we are especially keen to support researchers in the early stages of their careers, whilst also encouraging the continuing education of all our members," said Debbie Stokes, RMS Honorary Secretary Science (Physical).

"Due to the many free training opportunities available at MICROSCIENCE 2008, researchers and technicians should be able to access local training budgets from within their respective organisations," explained Rob Flavin, RMS Executive Director. "And, with RMS bursaries available to assist conference attendance, we believe that it has never been easier - particularly for early stage career researchers and technicians - to attend MICROSCIENCE. Registration numbers are already looking very healthy, and we expect to see many academic and industrial researchers from Europe and around the world."

CALL FOR MICROSCIENCE 2008 PAPERS

All microscopists, from early career starters to world renowned experts, are encouraged by the RMS to participate in the new 3-day format MICROSCIENCE scientific conference. Abstracts should be submitted using the on-line submission system available at: www.microscience2008.org.uk/callforpapers

-- Final deadline for abstracts for oral presentation - 31st March 2008
-- Final deadline for abstracts for poster presentation - 31st May 2008

About The Royal Microscopical Society

The Royal Microscopical Society is a registered charity at the forefront of new ideas and developments in microscopy and imaging.

The RMS is the only truly international microscopical society, drawing distinguished members from all over the world. It also serves the needs of its company members who represent all the major manufacturers and suppliers of microscopes, equipment and services. In addition to this, the Society is pursuing an initiative to encourage young microscope users who may go on to influence microscopy in years to come.

The Society is dedicated to advancing science, developing careers and supporting wider understanding of science and microscopy through its Science and Society activities. In support of the above, it publishes The Journal of Microscopy and microscopy handbooks, as well as helping young scientists through bursaries and training programmes. The Society is incorporated by Royal Charter.

http://www.rms.org.uk

About MICROSCIENCE 2008

Organised by the RMS, MICROSCIENCE 2008 is a biennial international conference and exhibition on the science of microscopy, imaging and analysis to be held at ExCeL, London, UK, 23-26 June 2008.

MICROSCIENCE 2008 provides a unique way to get close to the cutting edge of microscopy and imaging and meet with the world's leading experts. Visitors can also see and test the very latest developments in light and electron microscopes, together with associated equipment and image analysis systems for both life and physical sciences.

http://www.microscience2008.org.uk