Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS, https://sios-svalbard.org/) is a consortium of international institutions with research infrastructure in and around Svalbard. SIOS is building an integrated observing system for long-term measurements addressing Earth System questions.
Since 2019, SIOS publishes the annual State of Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report (https://sios-svalbard.org/SESSreport). The report summarises the current state of knowledge on key Earth system science parameters in Svalbard, explores how they interact and recommends research priorities for the years ahead.
The eighth issue of the SESS report will feature updates to four previous chapters. Chapter submissions are due 15 September 2025 and the final report will be completed in early December. It will be released during the online event ‘SIOS Polar Night Week (https://sios-svalbard.org/PolarNightWeek)' in late January 2026.
About the editorial board
The editorial board is made up of five members, two senior researchers from SIOS member institutions, two representatives from the SIOS Knowledge Centre, and one early career researcher (this position).
The tasks of the editorial board are:
• Review and approve submitted contributions
• Organise the scientific review process
• Merge all contribution into a coherent report (including synthesis work and writing the executive summary)
• Prepare the SESS report release
The editorial board works closely with scientific and communication advisors from the SIOS community.
Applicants should:
• Have an educational background within Earth System Science
• Be interested in editorial work
• Be an active team player
• Be fluent in oral and written English
We offer:
• First-hand insight in editorial work to produce a scientific report
• An opportunity to influence the development of the SESS report
• A chance to build a network with researchers from diverse fields of Arctic research within Earth System Science
• Support (travel and accommodation) to attend the annual meeting of SIOS, Polar Night Week 2027 (in-person, location to be determined)
Commitment:
• Approximately 7 virtual meetings between September 2025 and January 2026
• Attendance at the virtual event to release the SESS report 2025
• Optional in-person participation at the Polar Night Week 2027
Please note: This is a non-salaried position. The appointment ends with the completion of the SESS report 2025 in January 2026.
The application and selection process will be handled by SIOS Knowledge Centre. Please send your application with following information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:
• CV
• Statement of interest (max one page), including
o your research background
o your motivation in joining the editorial board for the SESS report
o your thoughts on how you could contribute to the editorial work and how this work would be beneficial for your career
Deadline for application: 3 September 2025
Statements from previous early career member of the editorial board:
… Being on the editorial board of the SESS Report has been a great experience for me in which I got the chance to experience the other side of publications process, strengthen my writing skills and interact with Arctic scientists outside of my own university…
… In effect, I have learnt first-hand the main steps of an editorial process, and I have become aware of all the details that need to be considered when organising such a process…
… During the whole process I felt that my ideas and suggestions were highly appreciated and considered…
… I have greatly appreciated working with the senior researchers and the representatives of the SIOS- Knowledge Centre as equals. My voice was always heard, and my opinion was viewed as valuable as the other members’ opinion despite having less experience than them…
… Not to forget that it was great fun to be part of editorial team, learning from and laughing with such well-established scientists…
… Given my highly positive experience, I strongly encourage early career researchers to apply to join the editorial board of the next SESS report. Every effort you put into the editorial process is greatly rewarded…
