Call for experts: Providing scientific advice within the Biological Weapons Convention

We invite nominations of authoritative experts specialising in:

• Science and Technology Advisory Mechanisms relevant to the fields of disarmament and life sciences,
• Verification and Compliance of Biological Weapons related activities, and
• International Cooperation and Assistance under international conventions.

Selected experts will participate in several online meetings from September to October, culminating at the in-person BWC meeting in Switzerland in December.  Experts will be given an honorarium of 2,000 Euros for their work and will act in their personal expert capacity.

Expert profiles

ISC are looking for authoritative experts from the life sciences, artificial intelligence and the social sciences and humanities with:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in at least one of the following areas: science and technology advisory mechanisms relevant to the fields of disarmament and life sciences; Verification and compliance of biological weapons related activities; and international cooperation and assistance under international conventions;
• An in-depth understanding of issues related to disarmament, biosafety and biosecurity, responsible use of science, etc.;
• Experience in policy engagement and in providing scientific advice to policy-makers, preferably in an international diplomatic setting;
• (Desirable) An understanding of the BWC.

Other considerations for the selection of experts will include gender and geographical diversity.

More information on the call for experts:  https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Call-for-experts_ISC-BWC.pdf

How to apply:

Nominations must be endorsed and submitted by Royal Society Te Apārangi as the ISC member.

To be considered for nomination please complete the following:

• Nomination to the ISC-BWC Experts Nomination Form which includes a description of expertise [a maximum of 200 words], description of experience in policy engagement, science diplomacy or government science advice [a maximum of 200 words] description of your experience working on topics directly relevant to the BWC [a maximum of 200 words] and describe why you would like to be part of this project.
• The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae of up to two pages, focusing on the contributions of the candidate which form the basis of the nomination.
   

Nominations must be submitted on the Nomination Form to international.unions@royalsociety.org.nz by Monday 8 July.

The Society’s Academy Executive Committee (AEC) will ensure each candidate's eligibility and consider them against the selection criteria. The AEC recommendations will be made to the New Zealand ISC delegate for the final decisions. The delegate will have regard to the Society’s Diversity Policy in making their recommendation to the ISC.