The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is pleased to announce the new US CLIVAR Climate Prediction Applications Postdoctoral Program (CPAPP) This 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: http://www.vsp.ucar.edu and http://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 partner ² ). This announcement of opportunity is for such collaborating institutions that wish to host CPAPP 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 CPAPP and to host a postdoctoral fellow, starting work in mid-2009. The statements of intent (i.e. applications), not to exceed 3 pages, are due July 1, 2008. They will be vetted by the Oversight Committee soon after. Acceptance of institutional partners to participate in CPAPP will be based on how well the statements of intent align with CPAPP 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 in August 2008. 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 potential post-doc about 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 post-doc, but if they are not, list those also.
• Provide a statement of agreement on mutual mentoring; including the projected schedule of how the post-doc will divide their time between institutions.

Other Issues

• Confirm commitment of matching-funds from DM partner (see attached Budget Explanation). Describe financial arrangement with UCAR, including whether necessary funds can be transferred within time table (i.e. postdoctoral awards granted early April; employment starts no later than beginning October).
• Describe the publication policy (note that free and open publication is strongly encouraged).

Applications may be submitted in electronic form and preferably portable document format (pdf), via email attachments sent to vspapply@ucar.edu. Reference letters should also be sent electronically, but hard copies or faxes will be accepted. If unable to send electronically, please mail to:

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

For further information please call (303) 497- 8630 or e-mail applications and letters of reference to: vspapply@ucar.edu

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 or produce a public good. Note that the DM partner is expected to cover approximately 50% of the cost of the postdoctoral researcher,