The South African Polar Research Infrastructure has been recently established through funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). SAPRI is a consortium of institutions led by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) that enables scientific research in polar sciences. Among the various aims, it will promote and support participation in the South African National Antarctic Program (SANAP) by institutions that have not been historically involved in polar sciences.
As part of this transformation program, SAPRI will support the participation of 10 early career researchers to an upcoming research cruise on the S.A. Agulhas II departing on the 11th of July 2022. The scientific program will cover a variety of polar disciplines, from open ocean sampling to sea ice measurements. The projects are currently part of the SANAP and other NRF-funded projects with topics in the Southern Ocean and are led by internationally renowned scientists, with the participation of international teams.
The “SAPRI trainees” can be either early career researchers with an interest to grow their career in the polar sciences or more established researchers that would like to broaden their horizons. It is aimed at people who are early career (post-MSc) or established scientists and technicians who will remain in the system either through a Postdoc or being employed. They will participate in seminars on board the ship and will be exposed to the science done by the various projects, with direct hands-on experience through job shadowing and direct sampling. This is an opportunity to expand your current research topics and to build a network that would be helpful for your own projects. The group of SAPRI trainees will eventually become leaders of individual projects in their own universities.
This is a last-minute call specifically addressed to institutions and topics that have not been traditionally part of the SANAP. This includes aspects of social and economical sciences that are relevant to the polar sciences. As such, we require a prompt response from researchers and postgraduate students (MSc, MPhil, PhD). Participants will need a valid passport and be ready to go through a quarantine period of 7 days prior to departure.
Chief Scientist: A/Prof Marcello Vichi (MARiS)
Expression of Interest: Click here!KEY DATES:
8 June 2022: Applications Close
5 July 2022: Quarantine in dedicated hotel
11 July 2022: Departure at East Pier, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town Harbour.
31 July 2022: Arrival at East Pier, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town Harbour
COSTS: The SAPRI will cover the costs for transportation, quarantine stay and medicals. Ship costs will be covered by the NRF.
To view the SCALE Crusie Report of 2019:
Click here!
