VSP | PACE Hosting Opp

Postdocs Applying Climate Expertise (PACE) Fellowship Program

Hosting Institutions Announcement of Opportunity

Applications to host a postdoctoral fellow will be accepted at any time.

This document is also available as a *.pdf.

PACE Fellowship Program has been developed to encourage and build the pool of scientists qualified to transfer advances in climate science and climate prediction into climate-related decision frameworks and decision tools. (Refer to websites at: www.vsp.ucar.edu and www.usclivar.org).

As described in the program prospectus (in links above) the postdoctoral applicants vie for fellowships to research and develop tools that will apply climate prediction information to climate-impacted decisions. In each fellowship, the work is conducted under the specification and direction of institutional partners: a Climate-Science institution (hereafter CS partner1) and a Decision-Making institution (hereafter DM partner2). This Announcement of Opportunity is for such collaborating institutions that wish to host PACE fellows.

A joint statement of intent, which is coordinated between the proposing CS and the DM partners, is required. This statement of intent serves as an application on the part of the institutional partners to participate in PACE and to host a postdoctoral fellow. The statements of intent (i.e. applications), not to exceed 3 pages, will be vetted by the Oversight Committee. Acceptance of institutional partners to participate in PACE will be based on how well the statements of intent align with PACE goals and number of fellowships available according to funding. Strong preference is given to institutional partners focusing on real-time climate-impacted decisions.

The interests, or research themes, of the institutional partners will form the basis of the postdoctoral AO released annually in August. The statements of intent will also inform the short-listed postdoctoral candidates about the research possibilities and working arrangements that exist for each project, and serve as an agreement on the terms and commitments of the participating institutions.

Each statement of intent should contain the following information:

Description of Partners

Describe each institution, briefly but adequately to inform the potential postdoc about the job they would be doing – what do you do, what are you about?
State the nature of current or planned institutional collaboration.
List institutional commitments of both partners (e.g., office space, administrative support, institutional affiliations, mentoring responsibilities, travel to support postdoctoral activities, etc.).

Description of the Problems, Decisions and/or Issues that will be addressed

List or describe the theme and problem or decision that will be addressed.
Describe why you want to participate in the program including a discussion of near and long-term interests in climate-related issues and problems.
Indicate the anticipated outcomes and benefits of the postdoctoral project.

Mentoring Roles and Responsibilities

List the contact individuals, including contact information. These should be the identified supervisors of the postdoc, but if they are not, list those also.
Provide a statement of agreement on mutual mentoring; including the projected schedule of how the postdoc will divide their time between institutions.

Other Issues

Confirm commitment of matching-funds from DM partner. Please contact Julie Cross (303) 497-8634, or e-mail jcross@ucar.edu with questions, re: financial details and mechanisms for transferring funds.
Describe the publication policy (note that free and open publication is strongly encouraged).

Applications may be submitted in electronic form, preferably pdf, via email attachments to vspapply@ucar.edu. If unable to send electronically, please mail to:

UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000

For further information contact Meg Austin (303) 497- 8630 or e-mail austin@ucar.edu.

UCAR is an EO/AAE who values and encourages diversity in the workplace.

Estimate of Costs

Postdoctoral fellowship appointments are generally for two years.

FY2009/FY2010 UCAR Postdoctoral annual salaries are:

First year salary $55,000
Second year salary $57,500

The Decision Making Institution host pays one-half of the annual cost of the postdoctoral fellow. The estimated cost of one-half of one year's support of a postdoctoral fellowship (currently about $60,000) includes the following:

Postdoctoral salary and UCAR's full benefits package, including group health, dental, TIAA/CREF retirement, life insurance, and paid time off
Visa fees (if needed)
Relocation allowance (if needed)
Scientific travel allowance
Portion of the Search and Selection expenses
UCAR Administrative support and overheads

There are multiple ways to transfer funds to UCAR:

Directly to UCAR via a contract, grant, or purchase award
Via NOAA/UCAR Coop agreement (a fee is charged for transfers under this agreement)

Depending upon the award’s period of performance, it is possible that unused funds carry forward for use in subsequent years. UCAR’s fiscal year is October 1 through September 30, for current overhead rate application. If benefit and overhead rates change, new rates become effective October 1 and apply to carry forward funding.

Please contact Julie Cross (303) 497-8634, or e-mail jcross@ucar.edu with questions re: financial details.

FOOTNotes

1. Climate Research Institutions: The CR partner should be involved in the development, production and application of climate information. Examples of such institutions include, but are not limited to, universities tied to the RISAs, Regional Climate Centers, and federal research facilities.

2. Decision Making Institutions: The DM partner is involved in climate-related risk management and decision-making. Examples include national-, regional-, state-, or municipal-level agencies and organizations (public and non-profit) that manage or regulate natural resources, prepare for natural disasters, or prevent or reduce the impacts of public health emergencies. Note that the DM partner is expected to cover approximately 50% of the cost of the postdoctoral researcher.

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