Just in from Neville Exon:
This is a fairly urgent call for ANZIC applications by an experienced paleomagnetist for Expedition 374 (as detailed below).
The expedition is scheduled from 4 January to 8 March 2018, from Lyttelton to Lyttelton, New Zealand.
This opportunity exists for an experienced paleomagnetist.
For shipboard scientist responsibilities see http://iodp.tamu.edu/participants/scientist_jobs.html.
Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet History Expedition (374) January-February 2018
The Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) History Expedition (based on IODP Proposals 751-Full2, 751-Add, & 751-Add2) will investigate the relationship between climatic/oceanic change and WAIS evolution through the Neogene and Quaternary. Numerical models indicate that this region is highly sensitive to changes in ocean heat flux and sea level, making this a key target to understand past ice sheet variability under a range of climatic forcings. The proposed drilling is designed to optimize data-model integration for improved understanding of Antarctic Ice Sheet mass balance during climates warmer than present. Core and log data from a transect of six sites from the outer continental shelf to rise in the eastern Ross Sea will be used to: (1) evaluate WAIS contribution to far-field ice volume and sea level estimates; (2) reconstruct ice proximal atmospheric and oceanic temperatures to identify periods of past polar amplification and assess forcings/feedbacks; (3) assess the role of oceanic forcing (e.g., sea level, temperature) on WAIS instability; (4) document WAIS sensitivity to Earth’s orbital configuration under varying climate boundary conditions; and (5) reconstruct eastern Ross Sea bathymetry to examine relationships among seafloor geometry, ice sheet instability, and global climate.
For more information about the expedition science objectives and the JOIDES Resolution Expedition Schedule see http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/ – this includes links to the individual expedition web pages that provide the original IODP proposal and expedition planning information.
ANZIC applications
Australians should visit www.iodp.org.au for a link to the application form, a completed version of which should be sent to Leanne Armand (anzic.programscientist@anu.edu.au) and Rob McKay (robert.mckay@vuw.ac.nz). New Zealanders should contact Chris Hollis (NZODP@gns.cri.nz).
Applicants should bear in mind that their applications will be quickly reviewed by ANZIC and, if they pass that hurdle, by the expedition co-chief scientists. Clearly, they need to convince both groups that they would be excellent in the role.
Note that non-tenured applicants must have a position at an Australian or New Zealand member institution for at least one year and ideally more to enable them to carry out the necessary post cruise research.
As well as the form, applicants should provide:
1. Participation Plan and Budget (maximum of four pages): This should set out why they are interested in the expedition, how their skills suit the position applied for, what they would bring to the expedition, and the nature of their initial post-cruise research plans (including publication plans), and a brief outline of what budget they might need beyond that covered by their institution.
2. Curriculum Vitae including selected publications (maximum of two pages)
3. Letter of support for non-tenured applicants by their supervisor: This should cover general support from the institution for the application, include an outline of the proffered post-cruise support, and indicate when the present position will end.
For ANZIC scientists all travel costs should be covered. In addition the ANZIC IODP Office may provide up to $A40,000 for post-cruise activities (mainly analytical costs) for Australian and New Zealand university and research institution scientists and post-graduate students, if funding cannot be obtained in any other way. Applications for such funding can only be made after expeditions are completed and samples are in hand.
The deadline for scientists to submit applications to ANZIC is Friday, 26 October. This is an excellent opportunity for scientists, doctoral students or post docs to collaborate with an international team of scientists. We know that students will have trouble with the long lead times but if things are possible and they’re interested, they should apply. Neville Exon and Rob McKay will be happy to provide advice for the applications, and help where possible with timing problems
