The main focus of the ENVRIplus project during its last reporting period was on finalising the work that has been initiated during the previous two periods, making sure all the products, tools and services are delivered by its end. The end was initially scheduled for month 48, i.e. April 2019. There were, however, several reasons why the project consortium applied for an extension. Besides tasks that could not be achieved for different reasons in the given time, such as Methane observation cruise in the Baltic sea (WP4), or the further work on the joint ENVRI strategy (WP17), there were tasks going beyond the original Description of Action, suggested by the project reviewers. These activities were seen as very beneficial, but could not be implemented in the original time frame of the project. The final dissemination event in Brussels is a good example of such activity, and it had a huge impact on the dissemination of the project’s results. The extension was approved by the European Commission (EC) and allowed the project to continue its work until month 51, i.e. July 2019.

See the full report here

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Splinter and Townhall meetings

Registration is closed.

Online registration is now closed.

Inform ENVRIplus Project Office if you wish to attend.

The call seeks both proposals for analysis of existing data, and proposals for access to the SIOS research infrastructure.

All accepted projects will contribute to the first State of the Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report which in turn will include recommendations for future investments to optimise the SIOS research infrastructure.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals by 1 October 2017, 16:00 CET.

For details, please read more here.

ICOS is a landmark of the European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and aiming to become an important part of the global observation system on climate and greenhouse gases.

ICOS is coordinated by a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ICOS ERIC) with statutory seat in Finland. The Head Office (HO) of ICOS ERIC, located in Helsinki, supports the central aims of ICOS ERIC to coordinate, develop, monitor and integrate the activities of ICOS RI by facilitating the work of the Director General (DG), the Research Infrastructure Committee and the General Assembly. The HO is led by the Director General. The HO is organized in four Units for ‘Administration’, ‘Operations’ and ‘Communication’ as well as direct support for the DG.

The Communication Unit organizes the general ICOS outreach activities and public relations on the basis of the scientific material provided by the different parts of the RI and sets up short and mid-term priorities in this field. It summarizes the results and publications and communicates them to a broader public. It also disseminates the achievements and results of externally funded projects.

ICOS ERIC is looking for a

Head of Unit Communications

who shall be responsible for the following tasks:

• Prepares and puts into action appropriate communication and outreach strategy for ICOS RI and related projects in collaboration with the various bodies of the infrastructure,
• Supports the dissemination of results and products from ICOS and related projects,
• Manages the content of ICOS ERIC web site and social media channels,
• Prepares and distributes brochures, media kits, information sheets, and other promotional materials in collaboration with the other bodies of ICOS, particularly the Carbon Portal, Central Facilities and National Networks,
• Prepares, edits and disseminates ICOS quarterly Newsletter,
• Supervises ongoing photo campaigns and video productions,
• Supervises the day-to-day communication and outreach activities within ICOS ERIC,
• Coordinates ICOS Communications Network and related activities
• Takes care of the ICOS brand and visual outlook,
• Organizes ICOS participation to exhibitions, conferences and other major events,
• Co-organizes the biannual ICOS Science Conference,
• Oversees ICOS press activities in Finland and internationally,
• Arranges ICOS presence in professional journals by promotion articles.

Profile:

The successful candidate should have a university degree in Journalism, Media Management, Communication Management, or Pedagogics preferably with experience working with scientists on environmental monitoring or climate change research. Degrees in other subjects can be accepted as well with proven extended working experience in communication. Fluency in English is a mandatory requirement. In addition, she/he should have excellence in writing and editing outreach material. Skills in other European languages are beneficial. Experience on outreach activities and popularization of scientific results is essential. He/she should have outstanding social skills and capability to interact with the international science community. She/he should be able to follow a flexible approach to varying tasks, good organisational and administrative skills, ability to work under pressure, organising and prioritising tasks in order to meet tight and compelling deadlines, ability to work in a team, as well as autonomously and manage own workload. A successful candidate should also have a high degree of motivation and ability to work towards a common long-term goal.

The starting salary range will be 4800 – 5200 Euros but own ideas can be expressed. There is a four-month trial period. ICOS ERIC is an equal opportunity employer. This international position consists significant amount of travelling.

If you got interested, please send your CV and application (in English) with salary expectation via this link no later than 28.8.2017. For further information, please contact Tiina Koskelo, tiina.koskelo@hr4.fi or tel. +358 50 428 0842 best available on 16 August at 14.00-16.00 and 23 August at 08.00-10.00 local Helsinki time.

Further information about ICOS in general can be obtained from the ICOS RI website.

What is RItrain and how will it benefit your research infrastructure?
The mission of RItrain (the Research Infrastructure Training Programme) is to improve and professionalise the training of managerial and leadership staff in research infrastructures (RIs). This is vital for the future success of Europe because access to excellent RIs underpins the success of today’s research and innovation.

The successful management and leadership of research infrastructure requires a complex collection of competencies, especially for those working across national borders. RItrain is developing a flexible, modular, executive master’s degree for RI managers and leaders, including (but not limited to) executive directors of RIs, heads of finance and administration, heads of HR and communication. We want to strengthen the human capital of RIs, stimulate their efficient management and promote their development and competitiveness at national, European and international level.

In collaboration with managers and leaders of pan-European research infrastructures across all disciplines, we have defined the competencies most needed by staff in these positions. As part of our executive curriculum, we will promote knowledge exchange and sharing of experiences between RIs through a pioneering staff exchange programme.

What does a staff-exchange entail?
Every RI has its strengths and weaknesses. We are asking you to identify the areas of management and leadership that your RI excels in, and to host a short knowledge-exchange visit (2–5 days) in which key members of personnel from the host RI coach visitors from other participating RIs.

The format of these visits will be relatively informal and is likely to involve no more than a few hours of preparation, although we are of course open to more ambitious proposals. This format was piloted in spring 2017 and was very well received. If you are aware that other RIs also have particular strength in your chosen topic, you might want to consider developing a staff exchange jointly.

Suggested topics
The following topics are aligned with RItrain’s highest priority competency requirements, as defined by a survey sent out to all ESFRI and EIROForum RIs in January 2016:

• Strategic vision and business context
• Operational planning
• Financial management (including funding generation and budgetary control)
• Infrastructure and resource management (including data management and security)
• Impact assessment
• Communication, outreach and advocacy
• Staff recruitment, management and development (including promoting diversity)
• Project management in the context of RIs of European interest

Closing date and review process for staff exchange proposals
Please email your proposal to Gosia Kalinowska (m.kalinowska@imperial.ac.uk) by 12:00 midnight GMT on Thursday 28 September 2017.

An independent panel will oversee the review of applications, to ensure an unbiased and transparent review process. Staff exchanges need to be completed and reported on by 31 July 2018.

You will be informed as to whether your organisation has been selected to host a staff exchange by Wed 1 November 2017.

Download the complete brochure