IOCCP is looking for applications for up to five new members of the Scientific Steering Group (SSG) for term beginning on 1 April 2021, replacing colleagues who will rotate of the SSG at that time. New members will be expected to continue and expand the current set of coordination activities within specific IOCCP Themes, as linked to each Position description. Moreover, we seek to expand our SSG composition to: (i) better address the needs for coordination in regions which may have recently had limited direct representation in IOCCP, and (ii) promote outstanding early-career ocean professionals willing to support IOCCP’s mission.

You can view the complete call online below or as PDF in the attached. Please send your applications by 15 January 2021. Feel free to contact the IOCCP Office with any related questions you might have. 

Call for new members of IOCCP Scientific Steering Group

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 up to five new members to join its Scientific Steering Group (SSG) for term beginning on 1 April 2021, replacing colleagues who will rotate of the SSG at that time. New members will be expected to continue and expand the current set of coordination activities within specific IOCCP Themes, as linked to each Position description. Moreover, we seek to expand our SSG composition to: (i) better address the needs for coordination in regions which may have recently had limited direct representation in IOCCP, 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 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:

• Develop and lead implementation of longer term Actions and related Action Items which indicate direction of IOCCP activity and form a backbone of its delivery,
• Encourage coordination of efforts and collaboration with organizations and projects involved in marine biogeochemistry observations,
• Represent IOCCP, particularly in their area of expertise, at international meetings and workshops, and report back to the SSG and the Project Office on the outcome of meetings in a timely fashion,
• Encourage national and international funding agencies to support activities enhancing the development of marine biogeochemical community.

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 activity. More information about the current SSG is available at: IOCCP Scientific Steering Group.

In this call we seek to fill up to 5 IOCCP SSG positions described below. The responsibilities of newly appointed members will include the following IOCCP activities:

Position #1: Surface ocean biogeochemistry observations

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

• coordinate current surface ocean biogeochemistry observational efforts, primarily underway and fixed-point measurements, with the aim to continue to formalize a global sustained network (SOCONET),
• promote regular data submissions allowing development of data synthesis products such as the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT),
• interact with communities focused on other relevant observing elements and initiatives, e.g. autonomous platforms, ship-based atmospheric (CO2) measurements,
• advocate for further development and use of common best practices,
• facilitate incorporation of new sensor technology,
• facilitate integration of observations and data across the coastal and open ocean continuum,
• promote global coordination of observations and data streams related to new surface observing platforms.

Position #2: Data and information access services for marine biogeochemistry

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

• support development of modern data management infrastructure for marine biogeochemistry,
• facilitate increase of readiness levels of data streams related to in situ biogeochemical observations from ship-based, autonomous and fixed-point observations,
• promote better harmonization and standardization of data curation and availability across the coastal and open ocean realms through interoperable discovery and access services,
• support the development of existing (e.g. SOCAT, GLODAP) and new (oxygen, time series) data synthesis products,
• continue strong emphasis on implementing protocols ensuring appropriate IP assignment regarding data submitted to regional and global data assembly centers.

Position #3: Strengthening regional implementation of IOCCP Action Items across selected Actions

For this position we will in particular consider applications from outstanding early-career ocean professionals. We seek individuals who:

• have interests in enhancing coordination of regional observations, or expansion of marine biogeochemistry measurements onto existing platforms,
• can provide local perspective from developing region to enable tiered execution of IOCCP activities across full range of regions regardless of their readiness level,
• are affiliated with institutions located in one of the regions with limited representation on IOCCP SSG in recent years.

Position #4: Providing global context and coordination for existing biogeochemical Time Series efforts with special emphasis on ship-based operations

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

• bring together members of the oceanographic, data science, and informatics communities to build consensus on key components of a FAIR data model for these time series, including best practices, common vocabularies, metadata reporting standards, and data citation practices,
• have interest in the development of platform-focused ship-based Time Series data synthesis product(s),
• engage with a broad spectrum of potential biogeochemical time-series data users, including modelers, educators, and decision makers, to facilitate development of fit-for-purpose applications and to foster collaboration and co-design at local and regional levels,
• engage with a broad spectrum of Time Series operators to help build community capacity for Time Series data analysis using a variety of methods (e.g. statistical analysis, deep learning etc.), and enhance data-model integration.

Position #5: Ocean Interior Observations from ships and autonomous vehicles

To complement existing Panel expertise regarding biogeochemical floats, we seek individuals with interests and some expertise to:

• maintain and enhance a critical liaison between IOCCP and GO-SHIP,
• increase the readiness level and coordination structures regarding autonomous subsurface vehicles performing biogeochemical observations,
• build local and regional capacity to perform ocean interior observations based on GO-SHIP approved best practices and data and metadata protocols,
• promote regular data submissions to the Global Ocean Data Analysis Project (GLODAP).

For all 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.

The IOCCP strives to have equitable representation on the SSG. To make inquiries and/or to submit your applications, please contact the IOCCP Project Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 15 January 2021. Please provide the following information in your application:

• CV including
  • Full name
  • Affiliation and held position
  • 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

Selected candidates will be contacted before 15 March 2021.