Request for applicants for IAI Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellows to be hosted by the IAI Directorate

 

CONTEXT 

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), an intergovernmental organization with 19 Parties in the Americas, promotes transdisciplinary research and the enhancement of capacities to improve public awareness and provide information to governments and other stakeholders for the development of public policy relevant to global environmental change (GEC), based on scientific excellence, international and intersectoral cooperation, and the open exchange of knowledge. 

In 2019, the IAI launched the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship Program, an innovative and strategic international program placing scientists in public or private host institutions to inform and advise decision-making on global environmental change and sustainable development issues of national priority. Through the STeP program, IAI  provides professional development training and international networking opportunities for LAC policymakers and scientists to value and incorporate science as part of the decision-making process and to become leaders and active agents of systemic change in their countries. The program is modeled after the successful AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) program for the Americas, and it has created an Inter-American networking platform for Fellows, host institutions and countries, international partners, such as AAAS and Canada’s Mitacs, and STeP alumni to exchange lessons learned and to share experiences and best practices in science-policy interface. Training for participating fellows focuses on developing skills in science diplomacy, communication, and leadership. More information on the STeP Fellowship Program can be found here: http://www.iai.int/en/step 

The IAI Directorate hosts STeP Fellows to support the scope of work in the transdisciplinary capacity-building program and the IAI science agenda. A detailed description of one available position is listed below. Fellows will also participate in a 1-2 year virtual professional development training program with other fellows across the Americas. 

 

GENERAL SKILLS & ELIGIBILITY  

  • Collaborative team member 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills 
  • Education and experience related to global environmental change 
  • Interest/ability to work with groups of researchers from diverse disciplines related to GEC and policy practitioners 
  • Fluency in English or Spanish required, and a working proficiency in an additional language (English, Spanish, Portuguese) is desired. 
  • Knowledge of, and interest in, the science-policy interface, processes, and the uptake of scientific knowledge to support evidence-based decision-making in the Americas. 
  • Early career researcher (currently in the final year of Ph.D. candidacy or within ten years of completing a Ph.D. degree or equivalent such as DrPh, EdD, DVM, MD, JD). Early career individuals with graduate degrees (master's degree equivalent) and five years of relevant professional experience will also be considered.   
  • Priority will be given to citizens and residents from IAI member states and considered on a case-by-case basis: https://www.iai.int/en/structure/focal-points
  • Ability to work remotely with a flexible schedule to accommodate working hours in Uruguay (the main IAI office) and availability to travel internationally when necessary 

 

The IAI is recruiting applicants to fill two (2) fellowship positions. More information is provided below for the position: 

1.- Coordinating transdisciplinary (TD) research funding on global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas at the IAI Directorate. 

 

INVITATION  

The IAI Directorate invites eligible individuals to apply for the available full-time (40 hs/week) fellowship positions. Two (2) individuals will be selected following the same position description included in this document. 

Applicants must provide the following:  

A cover letter (up to 2 pages) indicating the fellowship position they are applying for and why the candidate is qualified to perform the tasks (description of professional experience, personal skills, and expertise to address the stated objectives). 

 

The cover letter should include why the individual is interested in working on science diplomacy, communication, transdisciplinary science, and science-policy leadership and how they will utilize STeP’s professional development program and networking to enhance their career path.  Finally, they should include a description of how they will engage with, and enhance, the network of STeP fellows working at the science-policy interface in LAC. 

 

Curriculum Vitae (CV) with three professional references 

Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.   

Please see IAI’s Gender Policy here  

FUNDING AND DURATION 

The maximum annual value of the fellowship is USD $24,000, The intended start date is March 2024, and the period of implementation of the contract is twelve (12) months, renewable for up to one (1) additional year. 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS 

Applications must be delivered in English or Spanish by email to the address below by 29 February 2024:  

Ms. Soledad Noya; email: opportunities@dir.iai.int  

See the notification here