FCT invites expressions of interest International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).
-
The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is an international, non-governmental scientific organisation whose mission is to encourage and facilitate cooperation in all aspects of Arctic research, across all countries engaged in Arctic studies and throughout all areas of the Arctic region. Portugal, through FCT, is one of the countries represented in IASC.
Scientific participation in IASC is organised through its five Working Groups, whose main function is to encourage and support science-led international programs by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to facilities.
The Working Groups carry out their activities through periodic online meetings throughout the year, by correspondence, and also at an in-person meeting during the Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW), at a date and location to be announced in due course.
The term of office of each Working Group delegate is four years and may be renewed once for a second and final term of equal duration.
Through this call for expressions of interest, FCT aims to select national delegates for the following IASC Working Groups: Atmosphere (AWG), Cryosphere (CWG), and Terrestrial (TWG).
-
Applicants must i) hold a PhD in a scientific field relevant to the Working Group to which they are applying, ii) carry out research activities in this area of knowledge in the Arctic, and iii) have an affiliation with a national research and/or higher education institution.
Applicants are advised, prior to applying, to carefully review the objectives and Scientific Foci of the respective Working Groups, available on the IASC website, as well as the list of members, projects, work plan, and Terms of Reference:
- Cryosphere
- Atmosphere
- Terrestrial
-
Applications must be submitted by 5.00 pm (Lisbon time) on 9 July 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Applications must be formally submitted by sending a letter of motivation and a Curriculum Vitae, both in English. The letter of motivation should clearly indicate, among other points, how the applicant’s skills and experience align with the Working Group to which they are applying.
Applications should be sent by email to the Polar Programme Coordinator, Maria Germana Santos (germana.santos@fct.pt).
-
Composition of the Selection Panel:
The single Selection Panel will be chaired by the President of the IASC, Professor Matthew Langdon Druckenmiller of the University of Colorado Boulder (USA), and will include the current national delegates to the Working Groups, with mandates are either ongoing or ending in 2026:
- Atmosphere WG – Daniele Bortoli (Dep. Física/Univ. Évora)
- Cryosphere WG – Gonçalo Vieira (IGOT/Univ. Lisboa)
- Marine WG – Catarina Magalhães (CIIMAR/Univ. Porto)
- Terrestrial WG – João Canário (Dep. Eng. Química/Univ. Lisboa)
- Social & Human – Sandra Balão (ISCSP/Univ. Lisboa)
Selection method:
The selection of the candidate will take into account the following criteria:
- Alignment of the CV with the objectives and work plan of the respective Working Group;
- Relevance of the work carried out in the Arctic to the development of national Arctic science, within the respective field of knowledge;
- Motivation and level of interest.
Each criterion will be scored on a scale of 1–5, with the final score corresponding to the arithmetic mean of the partial scores.
The Selection Panel will draw up a ranked list of candidates for each Working Group and submit it to FCT for approval.
Notification of results:
Candidates will be notified by email, with delivery receipt.
-
FCT will cover the travel expenses associated with delegates’ participation in each annual meeting, held during the ASSW, in accordance with the applicable national and/or EU legislation.
-
-
Maria Germana Santos