  We study the $^1$S$_0 - ^3$D$_2$ and $^1$S$_0 - ^3$D$_3$ transitions in Cu II
and the $^1$S$_0 - ^3$P$^{\rm o}_2$ transition in Yb III as possible candidates
for the optical clock transitions. A recently developed version of the
configuration (CI) method, designed for a large number of electrons above
closed-shell core, is used to carry out the calculation. We calculate
excitation energies, transition rates, lifetimes, scalar static
polarizabilities of the ground and clock states, and blackbody radiation shift.
We demonstrate that the considered transitions have all features of the clock
transition leading to prospects of highly accurate measurements. Search for new
physics, such as time variation of the fine structure constant, is also
investigated.
