[Ifeffit] writing beam time proposals

[Dean Hesterberg]

I agree with others that it would be better for the student to write 
the proposal and submit it as the PI, particularly if the professor is 
not an active synchrotron user.

In reviewing GU proposals, it is fairly easy to spot a new user, either 
by too little focus on the specific type of information that the 
synchrotron technique will provide (for example, not recognizing for a 
very complex sample that a spectrum is some average of multiple bonding 
environments), or by too much focus on experimental details such as 
data-collection and analysis steps that are considered routine for more 
experienced users.  Definitely try to strike a balance between the 
broader impacts of the science and usefulness of the analyses, versus 
the specifics of how the data will be collected and analyzed.  Also, I 
think it would help to state that you've taken an XAFS course.

It would be best to team up with an experienced user, ideally working 
in the same field, or at least have an experienced user read the 
proposal if possible.  Seeing previously-published work by someone 
involved in the project (even if that person agrees only to give advice 
during the course of the study) helps convince the proposal reviewer 
that the PI will get useful data without a lot of trial-and-error.

Dean


DEAN HESTERBERG
Professor
Dept. of Soil Science
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Box 7619
3235 Williams Hall
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7619

voice: (919) 513-3035
fax: (919) 515-2167
email: dean_hesterberg at ncsu.edu

On Sep 23, 2005, at 11:06 AM, Bruce Ravel wrote:

>
> Hi folks,
>
> Yesterday I received an interesting question about writing beam time
> proposals.  I know that proposal review panel members at least from
> APS and NSLS are readers of this mailing list (perhaps other
> synchrotrons as well), so I thought it would be interesting to start a
> thread on proposal writing strategies.
>
> The fellow who sent me mail asked:
>   My question is, since I am a student, should my advisor be the
>   official PI applying for time or should I be the PI?  Is there any
>   advantage one way or the other?
>
> In principle, I think it should not matter.  Beam time should be
> awarded to a quality proposal.  What advice do you all have for this
> proposal writer?  What has your experience in applying for beam time?
>
> BTW, this fellow had been a student in a recent XAS summer school.  I
> suggested he mention that in his proposal.
>
> Regards,
> B
>
>
> -- 
>  Bruce Ravel  ---------------------------------------------- 
> bravel at anl.gov
>
>  Molecular Environmental Science Group, Building 203, Room E-165
>  MRCAT, Sector 10, Advance Photon Source, Building 433, Room B007
>
>  Argonne National Laboratory         phone and voice mail: (1) 630 252 
> 5033
>  Argonne IL 60439, USA                                fax: (1) 630 252 
> 9793
>
>  My homepage:    http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel
>  EXAFS software: http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel/software/exafs/
>
>
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