Deadline: 31 January 2015

        This is an open call for nominations for the 2nd Chair of the IODP Forum, for a term of 1 October 2015-­30 September 2017. The framework for the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) established the IODP Forum as the custodian of the IODP Science Plan (Illuminating Earth’s Past, Present, and Future) and the primary international venue for exchanging ideas and views on the scientific progress of the program. The revised Terms of Reference of the IODP Forum and minutes of its first meeting can be found at http://www.iodp.org/iodp-forum. This call for nominations for the 2nd Chair of the Forum is open to any qualified candidate from any IODP member country, including the host country of the 1st Chair (USA).

        The revised IODP Forum Terms of Reference describe the Chair as follows: “The chair of the IODP forum should be selected for his/her scientific and managerial leadership and will be a well-­recognized scientist who will be the face of the Program. The chair is expected to promote the scientific accomplishments of the Program at select scientific meetings, and to attend the meetings of the facility boards and SEP. The role will require some dedicated time, and the chair should be provided with appropriate salary and logistical support (recommended level of support = 0.5 FTE). The chair serves for two years and will be selected by a panel of selected Forum participants through an open process.”

        Candidates to serve as the 2nd Chair of the IODP Forum may be nominated by a third party or self-­nominated.  Given that Forum participation is open to all countries, consortia, or entities providing funds for IODP platform operations, it is understood that the Chair of the IODP Forum should have his or her primary scientific affiliation in one of the IODP member/partner nations.  

        Each nomination package should include the following:

      A statement describing the candidate’s interest in leading the Forum and vision for ensuring that the Forum fulfills its mandate.

       An up-­to-­date CV that clearly indicates any participation in scientific ocean drilling expeditions, significant research carried out with data or samples obtained via scientific ocean drilling, and any participation in program development, advisory structure, expedition leadership, or scientific ocean drilling program management.

       Three letters of recommendation from individuals who endorse the candidate’s personal, scientific, and managerial qualifications to lead the Forum in its mandate and be the face of the IODP.  It is strongly encouraged that at least one letter be from someone who has been involved with the science advisory or program management structure of scientific ocean drilling.

        A letter from a financial entity that endorses the candidate and commits to provide the funds for necessary salary and logistical support. It would be most natural for this support to be provided by the financial entity that supports IODP participation in the candidate’s country of affiliation (i.e., program member office). However, other arrangements for financial support can be submitted if appropriate.