Sea Rider Competition For Early Career Researchers

12th May 2024

Competition offers British & Canadian researchers opportunity to travel onboard a ice capable ship for a one-week expedition through the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

British High Commission to Canada invites applicants to join the crew of an ice capable ship on a 3-4-day voyage through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, travelling between Quebec City, Québec and St. John's, Newfoundland.

Participants will experience life on-board a ship that routinely hosts scientists. They will also have a chance to meet some of Canada’s premiere Arctic researchers.

Competition open to British and Canadian researchers nearing completion of PhD or Master’s degree (or have graduated within the past three years) in a relevant engineering, natural or social sciences discipline.

Application deadline 7 June 2024
The British High Commission in Canada is offering a one-week expedition for a select group of British and Canadian researchers to join the crew of an ice capable ship on a 3–4-day voyage through the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The trip will take place in mid-July 2024 and will see early career researchers from British and Candian institutions travel between Québec City, Québec and St. John’s, Newfoundland

This unique opportunity will allow early-career researchers to experience life on board an ice capable ship well-versed in hosting scientists. Though not a research vessel, opportunities for independent research, knowledge exchange and scheduled writing time will be part of the programme.

Onboard programming will include sessions with the crew’s hydrologists, navigators, and professional mariners, as well as opportunities for wildlife viewing, e.g. pelagic birds and marine mammals. Onshore, programming will include an evening reception and meetings with some of Canada’s premiere Arctic researchers.

As part of the programme, participants may be asked to collaborate on a joint research project or document their experiences online through blog posts or social media.

David Barnes, Head of the UK in Canada Science, Climate and Energy Team, said, "The UK and Canada have a strong arctic partnership shaped by the pioneering Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom arctic research programme, that places indigenous communities at the heart of programme design and the research.
This is a unique chance for early career researchers focussed on the arctic to get a taste of life at sea onboard a working ship and meet peers from across the Atlantic. If you’re thinking of applying, I would strongly encourage you do and take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

The UK and Canada have an exciting portfolio of collaborative projects relating to science, technology, and research. This includes ongoing collaboration on Arctic research, namely through the .
Though the UK is not an Arctic nation, for years we have been committed to working with our Arctic partners and allies to protect and better understand this fascinating and rapidly changing environment.

Opportunities to join the expedition is limited to six participants. Funding will include:

Inward travel to Québec City, Québec and outward travel from St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Meals and accommodation for the trip between Québec City and St John’s.

This competition will not reimburse for any travel and/or health insurance policies or cover visa costs.

Eligibility:
Must be nearing completion of PhD or Master’s degree (or have graduated within the past three years) in a relevant engineering, natural or social sciences discipline (e.g. engineering, geography, anthropology, sociology, arctic marine biology and ecology, marine physics and biochemistry, etc.).

Must meet health and mobility requirements to live onboard an ice capable ship. Applicants must be able to climb a vertical ladder and consent to sharing accommodations while onboard; rooms will be shared with one other participant of the same gender.

The right to visit and enter Canada (details are available online). By applying, you confirm your availability to arrive in Québec City by 9 July 2024 and depart St John’s, Newfoundland on or after 16 July 2024.

As programming will be offered in English, fluency in English is required.

We welcome applicants from underrepresented groups in the sciences, including women, Indigenous persons, members of the LGBTQ community and people of colour.

Application Process:
To apply, please submit the following to sinbox2@fcdo.gov.uk by 7 June 2024 with the subject "Sea Rider Competition":

Your CV (max. 2 pages A4, including current research interests)
A short (max. 500 word) description of your objectives for the trip, including how you expect it to enhance your development as a researcher.
We expect to let successful applicants know by 14 June 2024.