Want to sail on the JR as an Onboard outreach officer?
JOIDES Resolution Onboard Outreach Officers sail on board the ship to share the science story with students, families, and the general public. We welcome applications from classroom teachers, informal science educators, artists, videographers, writers, journalists, social media experts and anyone who can make a good case for themselves! Selected applicants will have the opportunity to learn shipboard science alongside the expedition’s science party and translate the exciting science happening on board through creation of blogs, videos, social networking sites, live ship-to-shore video events and development of educational resources and outputs for non-specialists.
Successful applicants will be creative, flexible, friendly and hardworking. Some geoscience background is helpful. All expenses for U.S. Onboard Education/Outreach Officers for travel to and from the ports of call, and a $10,000 stipend are paid by the U.S. Science Support Program for IODP. (If necessary in the current pandemic, the training may be virtual.) Onboard Education/Outreach Officers are selected through a competitive application and interview process. The selected individual(s) will also be flown to a 3-day training session prior to their expedition. This is usually held at IODP TAMU in College Station, Texas.
During the application process you will be asked to rank the expeditions in which you are interested in participating. Also, after successful outreach activities conducted from shore during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are open to applicants indicating a preference for working from onshore only, complimenting our offshore officers. Please indicate your preference for onshore only / offshore only / no preference in the application form. Stipends for onshore only participation will be decided based on workplans developed.
We are currently accepting applications to participate as an Outreach Officer on the following Expeditions :
Expedition 395 Reykjanes Mantle Convection and Climate. 12 June – 12 August 2023
Expedition 400 NW Greenland Glaciated Margin. 12 August 2023 – 5 October 2023
The deadline for applications is June 6, 2022.
The goals of the Onboard Outreach Program are to:
- Raise awareness of IODP
- Promote and support IODP science.
- Inspire and promote STEM learning
- Utilize IODP data in classrooms
- Increase diversity
Please review the application requirements (listed below), then go the USSSP Application Portal to submit an online application to the Onboard Outreach Program. Our application has the following components:
- a completed application form
- an up-to-date C.V.
- a recommendation letter
- contact information for two additional references
- a one-page proposal describing projects aligned to the goals of the Onboard Outreach Program that you would like to carry out while sailing.
- answers to several short essay questions
- a letter of support from your administrator if needed
Also, watch our video about being an Outreach Officer here.
Read blogs by our former Onboard Outreach Officers for advice on the application process and how the experience has enhanced their profession after sailing
For Educators – Alejandra Martinez, Expedition 360
For Videographers – Lisa Strong, Expedition 330 and 354
For Science Communicators – Lucas Kavanagh, Expedition 360
Also, for reference, please read our Three Year Summary/Evaluation report of the Education/Outreach program.
Any questions can be sent to Carol Cotterill (ccotterill@ldeo.columbia.edu) or Sharon Cooper (scooper@ldeo.columbia.edu).
