We are looking for two motivated and enthusiastic students to work on master project in Arctic terrestrial ecology at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland.
One of the MS projects is a part of the research project „Trapped in a degraded state? Tundra ecosystem responses of grazing cessation – TRAPP“, funded by the Icelandic Research Fund. Through field and laboratory experiments the student will study the mechanisms that keep tundra ecosystems in the Icelandic highlands trapped in a degraded state for a long time after grazing protection. Supervisors will be Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir, University of Iceland and Kari Anne Bråthen, the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø.
The second MS project will be linked to the research network International Tundra Experiment – ITEX, which aims at studying effects of climate change on tundra vegetation and ecosystems. The master project is partly funded by the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund and will be based on long-term warming experiments in the Icelandic highlands and Svalbard. The aim of the master project will be to compare responses of individual bryophyte and vascular plant species and functional groups to long-term warming. The plan is to do vegetation analyses and data collection in Svalbard by the end of July, but it is possible that this part of the project will be postponed to the summer 2022 due to the covid pandemic. In that case all project work will be in Iceland in 2021.
In both cases, the students need to be prepared to do fieldwork in harsh conditions (the Icelandic highlands, the high Arctic Svalbard) and to work in a team (good communication skills). Good skills in plant identification are desirable as well as skills and/or interest in data analysis (R) and in English.
Even though the master programme does not formally start until in the fall semester we want both students to start working within their projects this summer and assist in setting up field experiments, collecting data and material to work with in the lab, etc.
For further information, please contact Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir isj@hi.is
Application deadline is April 6, 2021
Submit your application by e-mail to isj@hi.is with MASTER PROJECT as subject. Attach the following documents:
- An short introduction letter where you explain your motivation for master studies
- Names and full contact information for two referees
- CV
- Transcripts of grades during your Bachelor studies
It is expected that the applicants that will be selected then formally apply for the master programme at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences before the deadline April 15. Further information on the master programme is provided here: https://english.hi.is/biology