Date

Field Assistant Position
Arctic Plant 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.

Funding is available to hire a field assistant for three to four months
in the period mid-May through mid-September 2004. A stipend will be
given towards costs of travel to Svalbard.

The field assistant job involves vegetation analysis, measurements of
plant phenology, productivity and demography, so 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.

The deadline for receipt of formal applications is Saturday, 10 January
2004. These should be written in English and include information on
formal education, ecological fieldwork experience and a short hand
written text on why you are interested in the job.

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/