Call for applications to join the SIOS Information Advisory Group

The SIOS Information Advisory Group (IAG) offers an early career researcher (ECR) the opportunity to serve as an observer member of the working group. The ECR acts as a SIOS ambassador and assists in distributing news about SIOS activities in ECR and other administrative and scientific networks. The selected ECR observer is expected to also contribute actively to IAG activities and general SIOS communication tasks. This engagement provides a platform for ECRs to become involved in an international organisation and develop important organisational skills.

 

Eligbility criteria

  • Ph.D. student or Postdoc fellow/Researcher (up to 7 years past the Ph.D.) and working on a topic related to Earth System Science or communication
  • Commitment to participate in the regular activities of IAG and SIOS communication for at least one year
  • Commitment to attend the Polar Night Week (January 2025) in Longyearbyen.
  • Good command of the English language
  • Good experience in the use of social media or creating accessible and structured webpage content
  • Experience from Svalbard or the Arctic in general is an advantage

Responsibilities

  • Actively participate in IAG meetings (approx. 4-6/year, mostly virtual), work closely with the SIOS Information Officer and the IAG chair/vice-chair to organise meetings, writing draft meeting minutes, following up on working group documents etc
  • Contribute to communication and outreach activities of SIOS Knowledge Centre, with focus on social media and/or the renewal of the SIOS webpage
  • Make SIOS and its activities visible to ECR networks via social media, and other means

Benefits

  • The ECR observer will receive travel, accommodation and other expenses for attending potential physical IAG meetings and the physical Polar Night Week, January 2027 (place to be determined; Polar Night Week 2026 will be online).
  • The ECR observer will get a chance to learn the working style of an international organisation and the opportunity to expand their network while working with working group members and during Polar Night Week.

Please note that the travel and accommodation costs to attend potential physical IAG meetings and the Polar Night Week is the only financial support available for the ECR. This is a non-salaried position.

Duration

The total duration of the engagement of ECR is up to 2 (1+1) years. The first year runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026. In the second year (1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027), the ECR observer is encouraged to stay engaged in IAG and to help introducing the next ECR observer into the tasks.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining IAG as observer, please fill out this application form. You will need to upload your 1-page CV and 1-page statement of interest as two separate PDF files within the form. 

Your statement of interest must focus on  

  • your research/communication background
  • your experience with communication (social media and other channels)
  • experience in working with ECR networks e.g. APECS
  • why you are interested in becoming the ECR observer of IAG  
  • how you would contribute to IAG activities and SIOS communication in general  
  • how this opportunity will be beneficial for your research career

The selection procedure will be carried out by IAG. The evaluation will be based on your CV and the statement of interest. Applications from ECRs affiliated to a SIOS member institution will be prioritised (Is your home institution a SIOS member?).