General information
The AMT Programme The Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT) programme (www.amt-uk.org) began in 1995, utilising the passage of the RRS James Clark Ross through the Atlantic Ocean between the UK and the Falkland Islands (50°N to 52°S, a distance of over 13,500 km) southwards in September and northwards in April each year. The transect crosses a range of ecosystems from sub-polar to tropical, and from eutrophic shelf seas and upwelling systems to oligotrophic mid-ocean gyres. The scientific aims included an assessment of mesoscale to basin-scale phytoplankton processes, the functional interpretation of bio-optical signatures and the seasonal, regional and latitudinal variations in mesozooplankton dynamics. The programme provided a platform for international scientific collaboration, including the calibration and validation of SeaWiFS measurements and products. The measurements of hydrographic and bio-optical properties, plankton community structure and primary production completed on the first 12 transects (1995-2000) represent the most coherent set of repeated biogeochemical observations over ocean-basin scales. This unique dataset has led to several important discoveries concerning the identification of oceanic provinces, validation of ocean colour algorithms, documentation of distributions of picoplankton, identification of new regional sinks of pCO2 and quantification of variability in rates of primary production and respiration. In 2002, the programme restarted (2002-2006) and broadened, to address a suite of cross-disciplinary research questions concerning ocean plankton ecology and biogeochemistry and their links to atmospheric processes. The objectives included the determination of 1) how the structure, functional properties and trophic status of the major planktonic ecosystems vary in space and time; 2) how physical processes control the rates of nutrient supply, including dissolved organic matter, to the planktonic ecosystem; and 3) how atmosphere-ocean exchange and photodegradation influence the formation and fate of organic matter. Between 1995 and 2017, the programme has included 29 research cruises, involving more than 289 scientists from 30 countries, contributing to over 370 refereed publications and 75 PhD theses. AMT continues to contribute to science and policy development including the social and economic understanding of the marine environment and services it delivers. This unique spatially extensive decadal dataset continues to be deposited and made available to the wider community through the British Oceanographic Data Centre (www.bodc.ac.uk).
Call for applications: https://mailchi.mp/cf5e397dc6e0/amt24
Priority areas
environmental DNA (eDNA)
What is offered
During the training, the fellow received hands-on instruction in eDNA sampling using Sterivex filters, chlorophyll-a sampling and fluorometric analysis, and the operation and maintenance of the Chelsea Instruments LabSTAF for the measurement of phytoplankton photosynthetic parameters. She was also exposed to complementary techniques, including aerosol sampling and the set-up and cleaning of optical radiometers, and actively contributed to the team’s daily operations as an engaged team member.
Application
Who can apply
This fellowship program is open to early scientists, technicians, postgraduate students (PhD or MSc) and Post-doctoral Fellows involved in oceanographic work at centres in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. For a list of currently eligible countries, visit this page on the OECD website.
How to apply
Fellowship applicants should complete and submit the electronic application form together with a recommendation letter from the parent supervisor and ashort CV. Please note that the application form includes sections on the applicant’s background, training requirements, and capacity building intentions. In case of unstable internet connections, we recommend preparing this text in an offline document, then copy-pasting into the online form. If short-listed, the candidate may be asked to undergo an informal telephone/video conferencing interview. Applications and recommendation letters should be written in English (recommendations on institutional letterhead) and letters submitted/uploaded in pdf format. It is recommended that descriptive sections be limited to about 100-150 words. Please use font sizes of 10 pt or larger. Only applications that are complete in all respects will be considered for the Fellowship. Deadline: 18 Aug 2024
Review process
Representatives from POGO and AMT will review the applications. In their decision-making, the Selection Committee will consider the following points:
- Quality of the application;
- Curriculum of the applicant;
- Evidence that the training will lead to capacity-building with potential lasting impact on regional observations.
Terms
- The fellowship DOES cover the costs of a round-trip ticket between the home institute of the trainee and the UK; subsistence allowance for up to two months’ stay in the UK depending on the particulars of the proposed training (normally for one month before the cruise and one month after the cruise); the flight to the Falkland Islands; accommodation in the Falkland Islands (prior to joining the ship, if required); seafaring medical and sea survival course.
- The fellowship DOES NOT cover expenses incurred by the fellow in his/her own nation (domestic travel, visa costs, personal insurance etc.). The cruise budget will cover the ship messing fee and the host institute (PML or NOC) will waive any bench fees that they may normally charge trainees.
- POGO assumes no responsibility for compensation in the event of sickness, accident, death or disability of a Fellowship holder, nor does it arrange for insurance of a trainee or reimburse premiums paid therefore. It is the responsibility of the trainee to arrange travel and medical insurance for the duration of the fellowship.
- The trainees are not considered agents or members of the staff of POGO, and shall not be entitled to any privileges, immunities, compensation or reimbursements, except as otherwise provided herein, nor are the trainees authorised to commit POGO to any expenditure or other obligation.
- The trainee and the supervisors at the parent and host institutes are required to provide a short progress report at the end of the training period, to evaluate the success of the fellowship programme.
- By registering you agree that the personal data provided will be used to communicate with you about the training, and for POGO internal procedures and reporting. We limit access to and use of your personal data to authorised persons only, in line with POGO Privacy Policy .
