The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is seeking a summer undergraduate research assistant position in the Beck Research Group. This is for a paid 10-week position. Applicants should plan to work 40 hours a week for 10 weeks during the summer on a research project supported by NIH Grant # 1R15GM152890-01 under the direction of Professor Michael W. Beck in person on EIU's campus in Charleston, IL. This position will start approximately June 2, 2025 and end approximately on August 15, 2025. Students who are hired will need to be available during the entire time.
 
Applicants should have an interest in conducting research at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, and cellular biology and wish to gain experience in techniques common to these fields such as organic synthesis, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, fluorescence microscopy, cell culture, and/or other in vitro methods. Any undergraduate student in any major at EIU is welcome to apply. Students This includes students whose first semester of enrollment at EIU is planned to be Fall 2025. Students who are members of underrepresented populations in the U.S. biomedical research enterprise including individuals from historically excluded racial and ethnic groups, women, people with disabilities, or those from disadvantaged backgrounds as described in NIH Notice NOT-OD-20-031 are encouraged to apply.
 
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Applicants should monitor their provided email address regarding requests for additional information and/or scheduling for interviews.
 
To apply:
Applicants must email Prof. Michael W. Beck at [email protected] with the Subject: “NIH Summer Undergraduate Research Assistant” that contains the following attachments.
 
Attachment #1: A PDF document containing the following information:

1. Full Name (as registered with the University):
2. Preferred Name (if different from full name):
3. Email Address:
4. Mailing address:
5. Phone Number:
6. Major:
7. Class (year) at time of application:

                        High School Senior (Starting at EIU in Fall 2025)
                        1st year/Freshman
                        Sophomore
                        Junior
                        Senior
    8. Projected/planned graduation date (Month and Year):  

Attachment #2: Resume or CV as a PDF (.pdf) file.
 
Attachment #3: Unofficial EIU transcripts as a PDF (.pdf) file. Unofficial transcripts may be accessed by logging into PAWS and viewing your academic transcripts.
 
Applicants should contact Professor Beck at [email protected] if they have any questions about the application or position.  Review of applications for Summer 2025 will begin January 13th, 2025 and continue until all positions are filled.
​

Happy to announce we have received the notice of award for our R15 AREA application (NIH R15GM152890) This funding will enable us to dive deeper into our studies of human carboxylesterases and the factors that influence their activity.

The Beck Research Group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has an NSF grant (CHE 2213273) funded master’s student graduate assistant position available. Funding includes full tuition waiver and competitive stipend. Applicants should have an interest in conducting research in the field of chemical biology at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry, and cellular biology. Ideal candidates will have laboratory experience in either (a) organic synthesis OR (b) in vitro biochemistry techniques. In this position, students will gain experience in organic synthesis, mammalian cell culture, assay development, gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, fluorescence microscopy, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, and other in vitro methods. In addition to completing coursework and requirements as part of the MS Chemistry program, duties will include carrying out scientific research as part of a master’s thesis project, assisting in mentoring undergraduate students, and supporting the administration of EIU’s iSTEM program (https://www.eiu.edu/clas/istem.php). Administrative tasks in support of the iSTEM program include but are not limited to assisting the advisory committee in planning, advertising, and running events and programs.

For more details and instructions on how to apply see the announcement here.

Taylor has earned the distinction of being the first undergraduate student in our group to complete an honors thesis! Following her defense, the group got together to celebrate this accomplishment and the end of the semester. 

Sam and CJ traveled to Chicago to present their research at the national American Chemical Society in Chicago. 

Thanks to the ACS Division of Biological Chemistry helping fund CJ's travel and EIU's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry helping fund Sam's travel. 

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is seeking a summer undergraduate research assistant position in the Beck Research Group. This is for a paid ($15/hr) 10-week position. Applicants should plan to work 40 hours a week for 10 weeks during the summer on a research project supported by NSF Grant # 2213273 under the direction of Professor Michael W. Beck in person on EIU's campus in Charleston, IL. This position will start approximately June 5, 2023 and end approximately on August 11, 2023. Students who are hired will need to be available during the entire time.

Qualifications
Applicants should have an interest in conducting research at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry, and cellular biology and wish to gain experience in techniques common to these fields such as organic synthesis, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, protein binding assays, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, cell culture, and/or other in vitro methods. Any EIU undergraduate student that self-identifies as a member of a group underrepresented in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences fields as defined by the National Science Foundation (including Black and African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Native Pacific Islanders) in any major at EIU is welcome to apply. This includes students whose first semester of enrollment at EIU is planned to be Fall 2023. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Applicants should monitor their provided email address regarding requests for additional information and/or scheduling for interviews.

For more details including how to apply see the full posting at http://apply.interfolio.com/110803 

The Beck Research Group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has an NSF grant (NSF 2213273) funded master’s student graduate assistant position available. Funding includes full tuition waiver and competitive stipend. Applicants should have an interest in conducting research in the field of chemical biology at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry, and cellular biology. Ideal candidates will have laboratory experience in either (a) organic synthesis OR (b) in vitro biochemistry techniques. In this position, students will gain experience in organic synthesis, mammalian cell culture, assay development, gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, fluorescence microscopy, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, and other in vitro methods. In addition to completing coursework and requirements as part of the MS Chemistry program, duties will include carrying out scientific research as part of a master’s thesis project, assisting in mentoring undergraduate students, and supporting the administration of EIU’s iSTEM program (https://www.eiu.edu/clas/istem.php). Administrative tasks in support of the iSTEM program include but are not limited to assisting the advisory committee in planning, advertising, and running events and programs.

Please see the full ad for more details.

Several Beck Research Group members have received competitive awards from EIU last week.

Congrats to Sam Knebel for receiving the Sidney S. Steele Summer Student Award!  This award will help fund his research efforts this summer. 

Congrats to Carolyn Karns for receiving an EIU Alumni Association's Distinguished Senior Award!

Congrats to Allie Kim for receiving three awards: Outstanding International Student Award, ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award, and Outstanding Senior Recognition Award! 

Congrats to Luke Flaig for receiving the Harry Frost Chemistry Scholarship! 

Congrats to Taylor for receiving an ​EIU Pine Honors College Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (URSCA) Fall 2022 Award. This competitive award will help fund her research project in our group during the Fall 2022 semester.