News
Winter 2021/22 Ice Bits Newsletter Now Available
The Winter 2021/22 quarterly update of U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) activities is now available at:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-2022-winter
Topics:
- Cold Wisconsin Winter and a Local Lake Enable Drill Testing and Training
- IDP Successfully Tests New Fusion Welder System for Borehole Casing
- 700 Drill Fabrication Approved
- IDP Hires New Electrical Engineer and Seeks a New Field Support Manager and Mechanical Engineer(s)
- Announcing School of Ice - Summer 2022
- Save the Date - US Ice Core Open Science Meeting, May 24-26, 2022
- Stay Connected with IDP
- Acknowledgment of IDP in Publications
- Ice Drilling Support for NSF Polar Proposals
To view the newsletter, please go to:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-2022-winter
Field Support Manager Job Opening at IDP Madison, WI, USA
The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) is seeking a Field Support Manager!
This position is based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and supports field work funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The team in Madison is small and is composed of engineers and support staff who design, assemble, test, and ultimately operate ice and rock coring drills in polar and glacial environments all over the world! The Field Support Manager works closely with IDP customers (U.S. scientists) and with NSF polar logistics contractors to plan for support of field science projects and to coordinate cargo shipments to and from the polar regions. In this exciting and fulfilling opportunity, you will find yourself busy coordinating and executing exciting field projects in both the Arctic and Antarctic and anywhere in between! For more information about the U.S. Ice Drilling Program, please visit us at https://icedrill.org/!
The selected candidate will be required to periodically deploy to remote camps in the polar regions for 1-3 month periods to provide technical support and field operation of equipment.
To understand our world and the universe, the IDP group within the UW-Madison Space Science & Engineering Center develops and deploys drilling systems to support the U.S. scientific community's research across the world in polar and glacial regions. IDP's history of deploying a diverse set of ice drilling and coring systems, rock drills, and associated support equipment ranges from small hand-held drills to rigs that drill through thousands of meters of ice to retrieve rock cores.
The selected candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel to organize and manage IDP support of NSF-funded fieldwork. The primary responsibility of the IDP Field Support Manager is to provide specialized technical support for U.S. Principal Investigators (PIs) funded by the NSF, including, but not limited to assistance with proposal documentation, project planning, and coordination of logistics with multiple organizations and freight providers. A secondary component of the position involves project management of anywhere from 5 to 15 individual field projects per year, including project planning and financial tracking and reporting. The position will also entail some level of personnel oversight and coordination with regard to IDP's equipment operations staff. While direct engineering or design experience is not required, a basic understanding of equipment designed and maintained by IDP must be achieved.
For more information, including how to apply for the position, read the complete job advertisement at:
https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/512105/field-support-manager
Announcing SCHOOL of ICE-Summer 2022
School of Ice is an NSF funded professional development program for faculty at Minority Serving Institutions. This program will train participants to understand paleo-climate evidence derived from ice cores and to acquire the skills necessary to bring this exciting inquiry into new and existing Earth and environmental science classes on their campuses.
The experiential nature of this workshop will build background knowledge of cutting-edge research and empower participants to communicate authentic paleo-climate research practices, ice core data, and results to their students.
There will be two opportunities to attend School of Ice this summer. Besides thinking about the dates, please help us reduce our carbon footprint by considering the one closer to you geographically. In both you will interact with experts currently working in climate and ice science research, take interesting field trips, and engage in hands-on learning experiences you can use with your students. Learn more at https://icedrill-education.org/school-of-ice/. Travel expenses are paid and all resources are provided freely to workshop participants.
Registration is open now. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the due date, but accepted on a rolling basis until the workshop is filled. Note: there is usually a waiting list to attend, so apply early!
School of Ice--Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
- DATE: June 26-30, 2022
- APPLICATIONS DUE: March 11, 2022
- TO APPLY VISIT: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRbPCNsBKU_wAXQO5ae-VyXACsNEwFaxM31xC80VBs2q3iHA/viewform
School of Ice--COLDEX-Oregon State University, OR
- DATE: August 6-12, 2022
- APPLICATIONS DUE: April 14, 2022
- TO APPLY VISIT: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuKTo3Qyk0JTbXhIUzXCH11tys1CuHZmvwFkqm0f_WKhPwYQ/viewform
QUESTIONS? Contact Louise Huffman louise.t.huffman@dartmouth.edu
Mechanical Engineer Job Openings at IDP Madison, WI, USA
The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) group located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking two Mechanical Engineers!
IDP supports ice drilling development and operations for the National Science Foundation (NSF). IDP is a small team, composed mostly of engineers that conceptualize, design, test, and ultimately operate drilling equipment in glacial environments in the polar regions and all over the world! In this exciting and fulfilling career you will find yourself designing novel solutions that result in discoveries of past climate change or subatomic particles from across the universe.
Selected candidates will be required to periodically deploy to remote camps in the polar regions for 1-3 month periods to provide technical support and field operation of equipment.
IDP's history of supporting a diverse set of ice drilling and coring systems, rock drills, and associated support equipment ranges from small hand-held drills to rigs that drill through thousands of meters of ice to retrieve rock cores. The challenge of operating drills and systems in these environments requires a broad set of disciplines and skills from the team of people involved. This dynamic environment requires us to learn about new scientific advances, systems, and technologies on a regular basis. This environment, coupled with meaningful research, provides an exciting career opportunity for any creative and motivated engineer!
The selected candidate(s) will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and technicians to develop state-of-the art unique ice coring and drilling systems for use in the polar regions. The candidate will support the development of engineering requirements; system design; component procurement; part fabrication; and system assembly, test, and operational use. This includes defining and conducting trade studies and leading the development of mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical and thermal subsystems. Responsibilities may include leading test programs, procedure development, definition and development of unique test hardware, analysis of test data, and producing test reports. This position will also support the maintenance, problem resolution, and upgrade activities for legacy ice drilling systems and will maintain communications with internal and external partners.
For more information, including how to apply for the position, read the complete job advertisement at:
https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/512023/mechanical-engineer
Fall 2021 Ice Bits Newsletter Now Available
The Fall 2021 quarterly update of U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) activities is now available at:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-fall
Topics include:
- IDP Education and Outreach Resources
- AGU Town Hall (Online Only): Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions
- Mark Twickler Retires After 35+ Years Involved in Ice Drilling
- IDP-WI Equipment Development and Maintenance Update
- IDP’s Library – A Portal to Ice Drilling Technology Documents
- International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS) 3rd Open Science Conference
- Stay Connected with IDP
- Acknowledgment of IDP in Publications
- Ice Drilling Support for NSF Polar Proposals
To view the newsletter, please go to:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-fall
AGU Town Hall (Online Only): Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions
The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) will hold the AGU Town Hall on Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions on Tuesday, 7 December 2021, from 18:15-19:15 Central Time. This is an online only event. We hope to see you there!
Abstract: Ice sheets, glaciers, and the underlying bedrock, sediment, and permafrost hold crucial evidence of past climate, ice sheet dynamics, and cratonic geology. National and international collaboration for drilling in the remote Polar Regions requires strategic coordination between science, technology, and logistics. This meeting will provide the research community with brief updates from the US Ice Drilling Program, Ice Core Young Scientists (ICYS), International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS), GreenDrill, and Hercules Dome. In addition, opportunities for community involvement will be showcased, and input from the audience will be solicited.
Date: Tuesday, 7 December 2021. Online Only.
Time: 18:15-19:15 Central Time
AGU meeting website: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Session/121992
Presentations: 2021 Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions presentations
Summer 2021 Ice Bits Newsletter Now Available
The Summer 2021 quarterly update of U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) activities is now available at:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-summer
Topics include:
- 2021-2031 Long Range Science and Long Range Drilling Technology Plans Updated
- Successful School of Ice Held at Oregon State University
- 700 Drill Detailed Design Progress
- Ice Core Early Career Researchers Workshop (ICECReW)
- Presentations Available - U.S. Science Traverses on the Greenland Ice Sheet: a Planning Workshop
- DISC Drill - Survey of Community Interest
- Science Requirements: Replicate Coring for the Foro 3000 Drill
- Acknowledgment of IDP in Publications
- Ice Drilling Support for NSF Polar Proposals
To view the newsletter, please go to:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-summer
Call for Nominations -- Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research
Seeking Experts: Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research
The Polar Research Board (of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) seeks your input for convening a workshop planning committee. This committee will organize a forum to explore how technological innovation can: advance, facilitate, and transform Antarctic research and facilitate improvements to science support logistics; can increase the reach of scientific investigations in Antarctica while reducing the logistics and environmental footprint of these operations; and can facilitate broader, more diverse participation in Antarctic research. The workshop will address specific disciplinary sciences as well as cross-cutting themes such as: autonomous sensors and platforms, communications and connectivity, transportation and logistics, and energy sources and consumption, including low power and battery developments.
We invite your suggestions for people to serve on the workshop planning committee, including people with expertise in the following areas: sensors and observing systems for geophysical research (geological, atmospheric, cryospheric, oceanic), biological research, and for astronomy, astrophysics, and space weather research; data and communications technologies; low-temperature electronics and batteries/power systems for cold-weather environments; remote logistics support; and robotics and autonomous instrument engineering.
The National Academies are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in order to strengthen the quality of our work. Diverse perspectives contribute to finding innovative approaches and solutions to challenging issues. We encourage the nomination of volunteers who reflect the populations we serve and also welcome in particular nominations of candidates from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, and early- and mid-career professionals.
Submissions (including self-nominations) are welcome until September 15th.
Form to submit names: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6490084/Call-for-Nominations-Technology-Developments-to-Advance-Antarctic-Research-A-Workshop
DISC Drill - Request Regarding Community Interest
The U.S. Ice Drilling Program is planning use of its drills for the coming decade. If you intend to submit a proposal to the NSF that would require use of the DISC Drill, please send an email expressing your intent to Icedrill@Dartmouth.edu before August 15, 2021.
Additional information: Deep drilling at Hercules Dome will be conducted using the Foro 3000 Drill. A comparison of Foro 3000 Drill and DISC Drill capabilities and associated logistics requirements is available at https://icedrill.org/library/disc-drill-vs-foro-3000-drill-analysis (see Table 1, page 11).
Thank you for contributing to future planning for the U.S. Ice Drilling Program!
2021 Long Range Science Plan and Long Range Drilling Technology Plan Now Available
The purpose of the plans is to articulate goals and make recommendations for the direction for U.S. ice coring and drilling science, and for the development of drilling technology, infrastructure and logistical support needed to enable the science.