Masters Projects
Arctic Terrestrial Ecology
University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)
Longyearbyen, Norway
http://www.unis.no/
Application Deadline: Saturday, 10 January 2004
For further information please contact:
Dr. Elisabeth Cooper (elisabeth.cooper [at] unis.no)
The Department of Biology at The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) is
running research projects in arctic plant ecology. The EU 5th framework
has funded the project: Fragility of arctic goose habitat: Impacts of
land use, conservation and elevated temperatures: FRAGILE
(http://www.fragile-eu.net).
Within this project, UNIS is involved in Work Package 4: The combined
effects of goose grazing and climate warming on vulnerable tundra
ecosystems. A field experiment to investigate these interactions is
being carried out in Adventdalen, Svalbard.
Master degree students (including those studying for 'hovudfag' and
'examensarbete') are welcome to carry out projects within the FRAGILE
field experiment at UNIS, supervised by Professor Ingibjorg S.
Junsduttir and Dr. Elisabeth Cooper. The students would need to have a
formal advisor at their home university.
Suggestions for Masters Projects (personal suggestions are also welcome):
* Effect of goose grazing and climate warming on plants:
1. Plant productivity (fieldwork mid-May to mid-August 2004)
2. Plant competition (fieldwork June-August 2004)
3. Population dynamics of arctic plants (fieldwork June-August 2004)
4. Reproductive output and success (fieldwork mid-July-mid-Sept 2004)
* Investigation of the comparative biology and host-plant
interactions of Svalbard aphids (fieldwork June- August 2004).
External Supervisor: Prof. Ian Hodkinson, Liverpool John Moores
University, UK.
* Further Development of digital photography as a means to
estimate species composition and biomass in tundra vegetation
(fieldwork July 2004). External supervisors: Dr. Hans Tommervik,
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and Dr. Lennart Nilsen,
University of Tromso.
Knowledge of plant ecology and experience of ecological fieldwork is
desirable. Applicants must be physically fit and willing to work under
adverse weather conditions. The field site is a 30 minute walk away from
the road, and it is expected that field measurements will be carried out
on most days.
A current driver's license and a good working knowledge of English are
necessary; ability to speak a Scandinavian language is desirable. Safety
training will be given by UNIS. Informal enquiries are welcomed as soon
as possible. A stipend will be available towards costs of travel to
Svalbard. Cost for accommodation will be c. 3000 NOK/month.
Informal enquiries are welcomed as soon as possible. The deadline for
receipt of formal applications is Saturday, 10 January 2004. These should be
written in English and include information on formal education and
ecological fieldwork experience. Indicate which project you would prefer
to carry out. Include a short hand written text on why you are
interested in doing your Master's work on Svalbard and why you chose
that particular project.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Elisabeth Cooper
The University Centre in Svalbard
P.O. Box 156
N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
E-mail: elisabeth.cooper [at] unis.no
http://www.unis.no/