- Tundra ecosystem responses to experimental climate change - This project focuses on understanding the influence of climate on terrestrial plant phenology, growth, and reproductive success together with ecosystem respiration in various scenarios, including alteration of snow cover and air temperature. The student will have the opportunity to collect their own data as well as use previously
collected data at field and remote sensing levels.
- Resilience and colonization of artificially disturbed areas - This project focuses on the resilience of ecosystems after short-term disturbances. Standing biomass, species composition, and factors
affecting seed germination and propagule establishment will be assessed.

Both projects will be carried out in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway, within an established framework. Master's students will join the research team from the University of Tromso, and time in the field will
be shared between projects. The field campaigns in Svalbard run from April to September 2010. Lab work and data processing will be carried out from September 2010 to March 2011 in Tromso, Norway. Both projects are expected to result in publications.

Applicants must have a completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent in biology, plant sciences, or ecology, and have strong interest in pursuing a fieldwork-based thesis in the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology at the University of Tromso. The ability to conduct fieldwork under all conditions throughout the field campaign and sound knowledge of written and spoken English is expected. Master's level courses will be taught at the University of Tromso and the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS). For additional information on the Master's program, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/tromso-biology

The positions are open until suitable candidates are found, but students who can apply and begin quickly will have the highest chance of funding.

For further information, please contact:
Philipp Semenchuk
Email: phipseml@gmail.com

Elisabeth Cooper
Email: elisabeth.cooper@uit.no