The Arctic is an exciting frontier which offers innumerable scientific research opportunities, as well as unique operating challenges. With support from the National Science Foundation and R/V Sikuliaq operations team and crew, we are hosting an early career chief scientist training cruise June 5-12 as part of a transit from Seward to Nome (AK). This training will also include a series of pre-cruise planning meetings from March to May (a condensed version of a typical pre-cruise preparation process). The goal is to help a cohort of diverse researchers gain skills and confidence in requesting, organizing, and leading scientific surveys on Arctic research vessels at high latitudes.
Activities will be facilitated by multidisciplinary science mentors representing different career stages, and supported by technical staff from NSF and UNOLS who will share insights into the use of a federally supported Arctic research vessel.
Specific topics addressed before and during the cruise include:
- Procedures for incorporating Arctic vessel time in new science proposals, including an overview of the UNOLS ship-time request system
- Diverse resources available for ship-based work, and processes for requesting them (including ice forecasts, science vans, coring equipment, and other infrastructure)
- Pre-cruise planning and mobilization
- Coordination with vessel crew, logistics personnel, and the science party
- Managing time at sea effectively and efficiently (plan of the day and flexibility)
- Managing interpersonal interactions and communication
- Utilizing shipboard data acquisition systems
- Rolling deck-to-repository system (data archival)
- Arctic-specific operations (ice stations, planning cruise tracks in sea ice)
- Post-cruise reporting
If you are interested in participating in this program, please apply by February 22nd, 2023 (see the “How to Apply” page above). Postdoctoral scholars and junior faculty (within 5 years of starting) who have an interest in requesting Arctic ship time are particularly encouraged to apply.
If you have any questions about the application or the program, please reach out to Dr. Emily Eidam (emily.eidam@oregonstate.edu) or Dr. Laurie Juranek (laurie.juranek@oregonstate.edu).
