Mentors#

Mentors are experienced scientists who are interested in supporting a group throughout the development of their research project between October 2024 and March 2025 and will be compensated for their time and effort.

Why be a mentor?#

Mentors will also become official collaborators on the project which will conclude with submission of a micropublication and a seminar presentation by the project teams. If there is mutual interest in continuing the collaboration on the project beyond the end of the program, we will do our best to support work towards a publication in a scientific journal by facilitating continued, uninterrupted provision of the computing resources to the scholars.


Mentor Compensation and Responsibilities#

Mentors will be paid $30 per hour and are required to work 10 hours a month per group. Their tasks are detailed as follows:

Availability

Be available for the duration of the program, which lasts from October 2024 to March 2025, to provide consistent support and mentorship to scholars.

Bi-monthly Meetings with Scholars (3 hours/month)

  • Meet with scholars twice a month for approximately one hour each session.

  • Provide guidance, review progress, and help troubleshoot any issues.

  • Be flexible to cancelling and rescheduling if holidays or other commitments prevent many scholars from attending.

  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where all students feel empowered to contribute and express their ideas.

  • Encourage teamwork and open communication for the success of the project.

Monthly Staff Update Meeting (0.5 hour/month)

  • Meet with program staff or update via email once a month.

  • Provide updates on the project group’s progress, discuss challenges, and plan next steps.

Task Planning and Coordination (3 hours/month)

  • Plan and coordinate project tasks, ensuring they are broken down into manageable components with clear responsibilities for each scholar.

  • Review and provide feedback on scholars’ work to keep them on track with deadlines.

  • Use a shared document provided by staff for tracking tasks, ensuring transparency and accountability.

  • Collaboratively allocate tasks based on scholars’ strengths and interests, and provide clear guidance for scholars in different time zones who cannot participate in meetings.

Monitoring Communication Channels (3 hours/month)

  • Monitor Discord or other communication channels to provide additional support and answer questions as needed.

  • Be available for ad-hoc queries and offer guidance to ensure scholars are progressing smoothly.

Welcome and End of Program Meetings

Attend a welcome meeting in mid-October 2024 and an end-of-program celebration meeting in March 2025 via Zoom with all scholars and mentors.

Important

All accepted mentors will be required to attend a mandatory training session, which will be conducted over two days. Each session will last for 2 hours per day. To accommodate different time zones, we are offering two options:

  • Group 1:

    • Part 1: 8th October, 6:00 - 8:00 AM UTC

    • Part 2: 10th October, 6:00 - 8:00 AM UTC

  • Group 2:

    • Part 1: 8th October, 6:00 - 8:00 PM UTC

    • Part 2: 10th October, 6:00 - 8:00 PM UTC


Eligibility criteria#

  1. Educational and Professional Background: Hold a PhD in a relevant field such as Neuroscience, Deep Learning, NeuroAI, or climate science, or possess equivalent experience gained through industry or other professional settings that demonstrate expertise in these areas.

  2. Project Fit: Proficient in programming, preferably Python, with experience conducting research related to the datasets or scientific questions of the scholars’ group. A project gallery will be shared here soon.

  3. Mentoring / Teaching Experience: Experience in mentoring or supervising junior researchers.

  4. Communication Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively mentor and collaborate with scholars.

  5. Commitment: Availability for the program duration (October 2024 to March 2025) and commitment to regular meetings and communication with scholars and staff.

If you have any questions regarding the mentor role please feel free to contact impactscholars@neuromatch.io.

Below are the mentor application links for the four courses. Each link includes a project gallery for the respective course. Please select the project that best aligns with your expertise and current or past work, as we will choose mentors who are the best fit for the projects.

Computational Tools for Climate Science: https://airtable.com/appLHqbcnAQ1EUO47/shrDDmUFZ594k6KQ0

Computational Neuroscience: https://airtable.com/app1MtChyjyKEDzAt/shrDwKDuH5xJ1AjnM

Deep Learning: https://airtable.com/appoh6RKyBvxgiJ89/shr5ygTIHJIle4QwW

NeuroAI: https://airtable.com/app1MtChyjyKEDzAt/shr9csPD7ujcPuajI

Note

Mentor applications will close on the 16th of September. This is the same date when students submit their project proposals to be considered for the program.We will reach out to all mentors by the end of September.

Accepted mentors will receive a copy of the final proposals submitted by the students who were accepted into the program. This allows mentors to review the projects they will potentially be guiding.


Frequently asked questions#

What is the time commitment expected from mentors?

Mentors are expected to dedicate approximately 10 hours per month to the program. This includes meeting with scholars and staff, task assignment, providing feedback, and tracking project progress.

Can I mentor more than one group of scholars?

In most cases, mentors will be assigned to one group of scholars to ensure effective mentorship. However, exceptions may be made based on the mentors’ availability and expertise.

How will I communicate with scholars?

Communication with scholars can be done through Discord, email, or other preferred communication channels. Mentors are encouraged to be accessible and responsive to scholars’ questions and needs.

What support will I receive as a mentor?

Mentors will receive support from staff, including resources for task tracking, guidance on mentoring best practices, and assistance in resolving any issues that may arise during the program.

What happens if I have to miss a scheduled meeting with scholars?

If mentors need to reschedule a meeting due to holidays or other commitments, they should communicate with scholars to find a suitable alternative time. Flexibility is key in ensuring effective mentorship.

Will I receive compensation for my role as a mentor?

Yes, mentors will be paid $30 per hour and are required to work 10 hours a month.