Call for two new members of the IOCCP Scientific Steering Group

Dear All,

We are excited to let you know that IOCCP is looking for two new members to join its Scientific Steering Group (SSG) for terms beginning on 1 October 2024, to act as leaders responsible for maintaining and expanding IOCCP coordination activities around Nutrients and Nitrous Oxide EOVs.

To make inquiries and/or to submit your application, please contact the IOCCP Project Office (ioccp@ioccp.org), by 19 July 2024. For more details, read below or download the attached full announcement. Please share with your networks and potentially interested individuals.

The International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP), a program of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, is looking for two experts to join its Scientific Steering Group (SSG) for term beginning on 1 October 2024. New SSG members will be expected to develop and expand a comprehensive and effective set of coordination activities within specific IOCCP Themes, as linked to each Position description below. Moreover, we seek to expand our SSG composition to: (i) better address the needs for coordination in regions currently underrepresented at the IOCCP SSG, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, and (ii) promote outstanding early-career ocean professionals willing to support IOCCP’s mission.

The IOCCP SSG is responsible for development and implementation of activities mandated by the IOCCP Terms of Reference. Acting as focal points for Thematic communities, the SSG members are expected to promote the development of a global network of ocean carbon and biogeochemistry observations, coordinate the development of globally acceptable strategies, and provide technical coordination developing operating methodologies, practices and standards, homogenizing efforts of the research community and scientific advisory groups. In our activities we define biogeochemistry as including the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) for Biogeochemistry. These EOVs enable the understanding and quantification of the following phenomena of interest: ocean acidification, ocean deoxygenation, eutrophication, exchanges between the ocean and the atmosphere, surface ocean and deep ocean, and carbon and nutrient remineralization and sequestration. The role of the SSG is also to ensure delivery of communication services for the marine biogeochemistry community as well as advocacy and links to a multidisciplinary sustained global ocean observing system.

SSG members serve for a period of three years, with the potential of renewing for an additional 3-year term. Among other things, SSG members are asked to:

• Gather, share and act upon the international community needs regarding the IOCCP theme they are responsible for.
• Work with the IOCCP Office and members of the community to develop, coordinate and implement specific activities.
• Represent IOCCP, particularly in their area of expertise, at international meetings and workshops, and report back to the SSG and the Project Office on relevant actionable outcomes of these meetings.
• Encourage national and international funding agencies to support existing and newly developed activities.
• Encourage coordination of efforts and collaboration with organisations and projects involved in marine biogeochemistry observations.

IOCCP SSG meets once a year in-person, and three times a year remotely. The expected time commitment for IOCCP activities is on average 2-3 days per month, which might occasionally cumulate around specific activities. More information about the current SSG is available at: IOCCP Scientific Steering Group.

In this call we seek to fill up to 2 IOCCP SSG positions described below. The responsibilities of newly appointed members will include the following IOCCP activities:

Position #1: Coordination of Nutrients Essential Ocean Variable

In particular, we seek individuals with experience/expertise and interests in:

• coordination of regional and national efforts related to output quality and inter-comparability of global nutrient analysis, including the production and use of nutrients reference materials and international inter-laboratory intercomparison studies;
• enabling global access to national and regional training and mentoring opportunities around nutrient data collection and analysis;
• facilitation of integration of observations and data across the coastal and open ocean continuum, and coordination of further development and use of relevant best practices;
• promoting incorporation of new sensor technology.

Position #2: Coordination of Nitrous Oxide EOV and Methane observations and data management

In particular, we seek individuals with experience/expertise and interests to:

• develop coordination structure for regional and national observational efforts to integrate N₂O/CH₄ measurements with existing GOOS observing networks and the WMO Greenhouse Gas Watch,
• expand existing global capacity to make N₂O/CH4 observations and facilitate incorporation of new instrument and sensor technology,
• streamline and promote the use of the analytical reporting procedures to be used for N₂O and CH₄, and coordinate further development of relevant Standard Operating Protocols,
• work with the international community to develop and implement plans for further inter-comparison studies to strengthen our collective ability to evaluate spatio-temporal variability in marine N₂O and CH₄,
• coordinate further development and use of the MEMENTO database, including promoting regular data submissions allowing development of data synthesis products essential for supporting global modelling efforts.

While IOCCP strives to have equitable representation on the SSG, for both positions we seek individuals who would expand IOCCP’s capabilities to address issues related to better integration between open ocean and coastal observations of marine biogeochemistry resulting in high quality, interoperable data of use for many applications ranging from climate science, through operational services, to ocean health. We seek individuals who are familiar with the ongoing community initiatives and needs. Ideally candidates would have research experience on an international level and a working overview of the global landscape within the selected Theme. We encourage applications from individuals with strong leadership skills and past experience in providing strategic guidance, e.g. through international working groups or steering committees participation.

To make inquiries and/or to submit your applications, please contact the IOCCP Project Office (ioccp@ioccp.org) by 19 July 2024. Please provide the following information in your application:

CV including (at a minimum)

• Full name
• Affiliation and held positions in the past 5 years
• Contact information (incl. email and website if available)
• Membership in national and international networks, programs, expert working groups, etc.
• Up to 10 most relevant publications

Brief description (300 words max.) of how you see yourself contributing to IOCCP Terms of Reference and what is your proposed vision for activities related to the advertised position

Regards,

The IOCCP Office