ICOS has established a new Early Career Scientist award to commemorate Dr Ingeborg Levin, one of the visionary scientists working tirelessly for decades to set up ICOS as it is now. The ICOS Ingeborg Levin Early Career Scientist Award for Outstanding Greenhouse Gas or Related Isotope Research is intended for recently graduated scientists and granted every second year.
Ingeborg was a driving force behind the establishment of ICOS at both the European and national levels, contributing her vision, expertise, and unwavering commitment. She played a key role in founding the ICOS Central Radiocarbon Laboratory and remained closely involved in its operation from the beginning to well beyond her official retirement in 2019.
Besides her groundbreaking scientific achievements, Ingeborg enjoyed mentoring students. She took pride in seeing them grow into independent scientists, supporting them as postdocs and beyond, leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of researchers. Ingeborg Levin passed away in spring 2024.
When Ingeborg received the Alfred Wegener Medal by the EGU in 2020, the final remark of the laudation was: “It is hard to imagine what the fields of atmospheric sciences and biogeochemistry would look like today without Levin’s contributions. Her work practice over decades is a shining light of integrity, rigour and dedication, and she is an important role model for young scientists everywhere.”
Inspired by her achievements, this award is intended for recently graduated scientists, who are following in Ingeborg Levin's footsteps and using observational data to foster a deeper understanding of biogeochemical processes. The purpose is to highlight early-career scientists whose research demonstrate significant contributions to greenhouse gas or related isotope research.
The award consists of 5000 euros and a free participation with a keynote speech in the next ICOS Science Conference. The first recipient of the award will be announced in connection with the ICOS ERIC 10-year anniversary in November 2025.
Nominations are open until 30th May
The nomination period for the first award is open from 15th April until 30th May 2025. The candidates are to be nominated by their peers or mentors. Detailed nomination information with selection criteria and application instructions are published under Opportunities section on the ICOS website.
Read more about Dr Ingeborg Levin on the ICOS website:
Dr Ingeborg Levin announced as the recipient of the Alfred Wegener Medal 2020 (November 2019)
Gone with the wind: how strategically bottled air improves greenhouse gas observations (October 2020)
In memoriam Ingeborg Levin (February 2024)