Leo Maas stays. Huge result for the entire oceanography team. Thanks to everyone who stood up for his work.
July 29, 2016
Final supporters
Through this petition, the undersigned want to express their concern regarding the decision of Royal NIOZ to abolish the position of senior scientist Leo Maas, a scientific leader in the field of oceanography.
We have appreciated Leo Maas's work very much. He is brilliant and his contributions are internationally recognized. He is very innovative and his deep knowledge of oceanographic questions, whether they are observational or physical has been, and remains extremely useful to us and many of our colleagues.
Leo Maas served NIOZ and the scientific community for over 30 years. During this period he published approximately one hundred peer-reviewed research papers on oceanographic, fluid-dynamic and mathematical topics. In contrast to the argument that his work is strictly of a theoretical nature, it should be recalled that he contributed about 30 papers discussing ocean observations, part of which were collected by him or through his initiative, using both in situ as well as remote instruments. Together with colleagues, he wrote another 20 papers based on laboratory and numerical modeling, which do not fit the qualification of him operating as a pure theoretical oceanographer. Apart from this fact, it should also be recalled that science very often contains both observational as well as theoretical aspects. Rather than disqualifying theoretical contributions, these should be seen as enriching observational studies by providing an interpretative framework.
Leo Maas also educated a large number of students. Over the 30 year period of his work at NIOZ, he supervised and co-supervised 12 PhD and 50 Master and Bachelor students. In fact, he currently co-supervises two NWO-PhD students who both still have a three years period ahead of them; a period over which they were guaranteed by NWO to receive supervision by Leo Maas. In addition, Leo Maas has been teaching courses at Utrecht University yearly since 2007, some of which, for example his lectures on 'wave attractors' are unique in the world.
Internal gravity waves, Leo Maas' research topic, are in the spotlight of the oceanographic community since a few years and will continue because climate scientists have acknowledged that ultimately only a decent handling of ocean mixing and closed energetics could improve models and simulations. An understanding of the behavior and impact of small-scale internal waves, part of Leo Maas' expertise, will likely be more in demand as global population grows. Understanding the basic physics of the ocean has been, and will remain, essential to determining how the ocean and its resources will fare under shifting climate and human demands.
From this perspective also, it is clearly inopportune to abolish the line of research that Leo Maas has developed. Further, it is our opinion that removing theoretical science is a very poor economic strategy. Theoretical projects coupled to the experimental world offers low-cost route finding to the most productive experimental programs and proves, in the long term to be highly cost efficient.
We therefore urge NIOZ to reopen the position for Leo Maas and propose an agreement that is suitable to an established and internationally recognized scientist.
Updates
May 13, 2016
Two hundred fifty signatures strong. The message to Royal NIOZ is growing louder.
Reached 250 supporters
May 12, 2016
May 9, 2016
The momentum behind this is incredible. It is clear that Leo's decades of work have left an indelible mark on the scientific community.
May 6, 2016
100 signatures reached. The scientific community is clearly not letting this slide.
Reached 100 supporters
May 5, 2016
100 Comments
Leo has been my master thesis supervisor. His never-ending curiosity for our world inspired and motivated me. He is a great scientist and a wonderful Professor. It would be really sad if the NIOZ decides to abolish the position of such a brilliant mind.
Leo Maas is an internationally highly respected researcher in physical oceanography and fluid mechanics. A research institute that questions the position of such a top researcher sends a self-destructive signal to the scientific community since it unfolds a critical degree of ignorance.
I have read many of Leo Maas' papers over the years and enjoyed many scientific conversations with him. He has made many significant, innovative contributions and has certainly raised NIOZ's profile. This is a great loss to the community and to NIOZ. I hope NIOZ will reconsider their decision.
Leo Maas is a world leading expert on internal wave dynamics in Physical Oceanography. His theoretical work impacts both experimental and field work. For example, his discovery of attractors was pertinent in the recent identification of internal wave resonance phenomena at the Luzon Strait.
This is unacceptable. Professor Leo Maas has spent a lifetime exceling in scientific research. What message are we passing through to our younger generations if we undermine our best scientists at will? Please give room to good sense and reconsider what is simply an inhumane and cruel decision.
I've had the opportunity of discussing several times with Leo, it has always been very inspirative for my ongoing work and for the perspectives of my research in the field.
I had the honor and pleasure to meet Leo at various conferences, to listen to his talks and to read his publications. Leo is a godsend for any institution dealing with Physical Oceanography, and deserves a highest position. I strongly support this petition and call NIOZ to reconsider their decision.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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Leo Maas stays. Huge result for the entire oceanography team. Thanks to everyone who stood up for his work.
July 29, 2016
Final supporters
Through this petition, the undersigned want to express their concern regarding the decision of Royal NIOZ to abolish the position of senior scientist Leo Maas, a scientific leader in the field of oceanography.
We have appreciated Leo Maas's work very much. He is brilliant and his contributions are internationally recognized. He is very innovative and his deep knowledge of oceanographic questions, whether they are observational or physical has been, and remains extremely useful to us and many of our colleagues.
Leo Maas served NIOZ and the scientific community for over 30 years. During this period he published approximately one hundred peer-reviewed research papers on oceanographic, fluid-dynamic and mathematical topics. In contrast to the argument that his work is strictly of a theoretical nature, it should be recalled that he contributed about 30 papers discussing ocean observations, part of which were collected by him or through his initiative, using both in situ as well as remote instruments. Together with colleagues, he wrote another 20 papers based on laboratory and numerical modeling, which do not fit the qualification of him operating as a pure theoretical oceanographer. Apart from this fact, it should also be recalled that science very often contains both observational as well as theoretical aspects. Rather than disqualifying theoretical contributions, these should be seen as enriching observational studies by providing an interpretative framework.
Leo Maas also educated a large number of students. Over the 30 year period of his work at NIOZ, he supervised and co-supervised 12 PhD and 50 Master and Bachelor students. In fact, he currently co-supervises two NWO-PhD students who both still have a three years period ahead of them; a period over which they were guaranteed by NWO to receive supervision by Leo Maas. In addition, Leo Maas has been teaching courses at Utrecht University yearly since 2007, some of which, for example his lectures on 'wave attractors' are unique in the world.
Internal gravity waves, Leo Maas' research topic, are in the spotlight of the oceanographic community since a few years and will continue because climate scientists have acknowledged that ultimately only a decent handling of ocean mixing and closed energetics could improve models and simulations. An understanding of the behavior and impact of small-scale internal waves, part of Leo Maas' expertise, will likely be more in demand as global population grows. Understanding the basic physics of the ocean has been, and will remain, essential to determining how the ocean and its resources will fare under shifting climate and human demands.
From this perspective also, it is clearly inopportune to abolish the line of research that Leo Maas has developed. Further, it is our opinion that removing theoretical science is a very poor economic strategy. Theoretical projects coupled to the experimental world offers low-cost route finding to the most productive experimental programs and proves, in the long term to be highly cost efficient.
We therefore urge NIOZ to reopen the position for Leo Maas and propose an agreement that is suitable to an established and internationally recognized scientist.
Updates
May 13, 2016
Two hundred fifty signatures strong. The message to Royal NIOZ is growing louder.
Reached 250 supporters
May 12, 2016
May 9, 2016
The momentum behind this is incredible. It is clear that Leo's decades of work have left an indelible mark on the scientific community.
May 6, 2016
100 signatures reached. The scientific community is clearly not letting this slide.
Reached 100 supporters
May 5, 2016
100 Comments
While doing my PhD with Leo I've very much enjoyed the combination of theoretical and practical work that was typical for him. I have always been impressed by his knowledge and originality. This decision is a shame for the Dutch scientific community.
Leo has been my master thesis supervisor. His never-ending curiosity for our world inspired and motivated me. He is a great scientist and a wonderful Professor. It would be really sad if the NIOZ decides to abolish the position of such a brilliant mind.
Leo Maas is an internationally highly respected researcher in physical oceanography and fluid mechanics. A research institute that questions the position of such a top researcher sends a self-destructive signal to the scientific community since it unfolds a critical degree of ignorance.
I have read many of Leo Maas' papers over the years and enjoyed many scientific conversations with him. He has made many significant, innovative contributions and has certainly raised NIOZ's profile. This is a great loss to the community and to NIOZ. I hope NIOZ will reconsider their decision.
Leo Maas is a world leading expert on internal wave dynamics in Physical Oceanography. His theoretical work impacts both experimental and field work. For example, his discovery of attractors was pertinent in the recent identification of internal wave resonance phenomena at the Luzon Strait.
This is unacceptable. Professor Leo Maas has spent a lifetime exceling in scientific research. What message are we passing through to our younger generations if we undermine our best scientists at will? Please give room to good sense and reconsider what is simply an inhumane and cruel decision.
I've had the opportunity of discussing several times with Leo, it has always been very inspirative for my ongoing work and for the perspectives of my research in the field.
I had the honor and pleasure to meet Leo at various conferences, to listen to his talks and to read his publications. Leo is a godsend for any institution dealing with Physical Oceanography, and deserves a highest position. I strongly support this petition and call NIOZ to reconsider their decision.
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While doing my PhD with Leo I've very much enjoyed the combination of theoretical and practical work that was typical for him. I have always been impressed by his knowledge and originality. This decision is a shame for the Dutch scientific community.