Apply-to-sail for Research Cruise in New Zealand

[Karen Fischer]

Are you interested in deploying ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) around the North Island of New Zealand?  We are accepting applications from graduate students and post-docs to participate in a NSF-funded research cruise in September, 2026.

• Application deadline: March 16, 2026
• Dates: You would need to be available to be in New Zealand from September 5 - September 22, 2026, although when dates are finalized you will likely not be in New Zealand for this entire time.  The actual cruise will be ~12 days.
• PIs: Geoff Abers (Cornell University) and Karen Fischer (Brown University)
• Science Party: 14 with 4 apply-to-sail participants
• Ports: Wellington, New Zealand (departure) to Auckland, New Zealand (arrival)
• Research Vessel: R/V Thomas G. Thompson

This project (NSF OCE-2241063) seeks to test hypotheses regarding the origins of mantle-derived magmas and their volatiles beneath the Auckland Volcanic Field and other volcanic centers behind the arc in northwestern New Zealand. A primary goal is to image seismic signatures of temperature, melting, and volatiles to better understand how intraplate volcanics form away from deep mantle plumes. This experiment is a collaboration between the US (Cornell and Brown Universities) and New Zealand (University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington), with a complementary independent deployment by SUSTech in China. The broadband seismometers deployed on this cruise will extend offshore sampling at 75-100 km spacing, and will be complemented by a land array with 40-50 km spacing on the Northland Peninsula.

Participating junior scientists will assist with deploying OBS and collecting underway geophysical data. Participants will work on 8-hour shifts, distributed over a 24-hours-per-day schedule of ship operations.  Cruise activities will include reading and discussion of papers to develop a deeper understanding of the science goals of the experiment. 

 

Graduate students and post-docs are encouraged to apply.  Applicants do not need to have experience with OBS or research cruises.  Participants will receive training on all shipboard operations.  All members of the science party will engage in (remote) team-building activities in the weeks leading up to the cruise, with the goal of building an inclusive and supportive shipboard community. Travel funds are available for participants. Participants will need a visa (or the equivalent) to enter New Zealand.

 

To apply, fill out this form (which asks for a CV and statements about your interests) no later than March 16, 2026.  Applications from graduate students require a brief note of support from their primary research advisor, which should be emailed to Karen Fischer (Karen_...@brown.edu).

 

Best, 

Geoff Abers and Karen Fischer