2016 Atlantis/Alvin Chief Scientist Training Cruise Application

UNOLS Research Training Cruise with Deep-Submergence Assets

Opportunity: A 2016 Deep Submergence Training Cruise on the R/V Atlantis is being proposed to include a 2-day pre-cruise workshop (26-27 July), 11 days at sea with telepresence (28 July to 7 Aug), with HOV Alvin (5 science dives) and AUV Sentry, plus a 1 d post-cruise follow-up (8 Aug); sailing Woods Hole MA to Morehead City NC. This is the first leadership training cruise with deep-submergence assets, and it will be the first ‘telepresence’-enabled leadership training program. Partway through the cruise, participants on R/V Atlantis will move to the Inner Space Center (ISC) at the University of Rhode Island (http://innerspacecenter.org/) and ISC-based participants will transfer to Atlantis.

Key objectives include providing experience in:

i. collaborative, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and proposal strategies for deep-submergence science
ii. leadership in cruise and dive/mission planning and execution
iii. integration of instrumentation with Alvin/Sentry/other deep-submergence assets
iv. telepresence research: seafloor-to-ship-to-shore
v. data management, sharing, reporting
vi. science communication

Preference will be given to researchers who have significant potential to write proposals to use the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) assets Alvin, Jason, or Sentry in the next five years. We target postdoctoral researchers, assistant professors/scientists with less than 7 years since their PhD. A limited number of spaces may be available to advanced PhD students. More established researchers may be invited to participate if they have not used (NDSF) assets in the past. All disciplines of deep-submergence science are targeted, including biological, geological, chemical, and physical oceanography. Space is limited.

Small stipends are provided for participant travel costs, research supplies, and shipping. Space is limited. To apply you must be an employee or student (U.S. Citizen or permanent resident) at a U.S. institution or a U.S. citizen working abroad.

To be considered, applications must be received by 30 March 2016.

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* 1. Please provide the following contact information:

First Name:

Last Name:

Institution:

Position:

Address:

Address 2:

City:

State:

Zipcode:

Phone number:

E-mail Address:

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* 2. What is your year (or expected year) of PhD degree?

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* 3. Please explain why you are interested in this program. Do you see yourself leading a research cruise in the future?

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* 4. Please indicate your discipline of study:

Biological Oceanography

Chemical Oceanography

Physical Oceanography

Marine Geology and Geophysics

Other

If "Other" (please specify)

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* 5. What is your secondary discipline of study?

Biological Oceanography

Chemical Oceanography

Physical Oceanography

Marine Geology and Geophysics

Other

If "Other" (please specify)

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* 6. Please indicate any prior experience you have using (or requesting) UNOLS research vessels and deep-submergence assets.

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* 7. Please indicate how your research and training goals would benefit from sampling opportunities afforded by this training cruise program. Numerous seeps (Skarke et al. Nature Geoscience 2014) and canyons (e.g., Quattrini et al. PLoS one 2015) are within easy reach along the transit routes. Emphasis should be on objectives to be accomplished using Alvin and Sentry, including through telepresence, although there is scope for some use of other shipboard assets (e.g., CTD, multibeam). Useful resources are the Alvin users manual and the Sentry web pages. (250 words)

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* 8. Please provide a description of Alvin or Sentry science instruments or sampling tools that you need. Indicate if you plan to supply any specialized equipment.

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* 9. Please indicate your collaborators (including other early career scientists who may also be applying to participate in the training cruise). Graduate students should include their thesis advisors.

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* 10. Please indicate any special ship equipment or facility needs you may have (e.g. vans, freezers, winches, etc.).

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* 11. Please submit a brief budget for travel, shipping as needed), and supplies (including >/= 6TB hard drive) up to ~$1000.

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* 12. Please indicate your plans for future NDSF use (especially any for which this training opportunity can help prepare you).

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* 13. List the names, phone numbers and emails of two people who would be able to comment on your suitability for this program: the importance of your research goals and how crucial ship time is; the feasibility of your project; your potential as a member of the shipboard team; and leadership qualities that you would bring to the effort.