NERC: Ny-Ålesund Research Station – Harland-Cox Huset, UK

The station is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and managed andoperated by the British Antarctic Survey.

The station supports ecological, glacial/periglacial geomorphology, hydrology, atmospheric chemistry, and marine research. Examples include mass balance and hydrological studies of nearby glaciers, extensive studies of cold hardiness in terrestrial invertebrates, manipulation studies on terrestrial plant communities, and physiological/molecular studies of marine invertebrates.

Contribution to POLARIN key research challenges: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Information about Ny-Ålesund research station

Important information about the currently ongoing research activities, including the four Ny-Ålesund flagship programs, and the collaboration between the five partners offering access to Ny-Ålesund research station (AWI, IPEV, CNR, NERC and NPI is available here: https://eu-polarin.eu/ny-alesund/

Contact:Station manager Iain Rudkin: iadk[at]bas.ac.uk

Website

http://www.arctic.ac.uk/uk-arctic-research-station/

Location

The NERC Arctic Research Station is funded by NERC and managed and operated by British Antarctic Survey. The station is situated in the international research community at Ny-Ålesund on the high Arctic island of Spitsbergen, part of the Svalbard archipelago.

Facilities

The UK has maintained a research station at Ny-Ålesund continuously since 1972. The NERC Arctic Research Station opened in 1991. The station comprises 440 m2 of laboratory, workshop, and storage space plus 6 single bedrooms. Additional accommodation can be provided by Kings Bay Company. The station provides laboratory, field equipment, telephone, computer facilities (fast web link), VHF radios, satellite telephones, firearms, and boat. Rental of snowmobiles for specific projects can be arranged.

Services offered

The facility including the lab, workshop and storage space can be adapted to specific needs. Equipment available to users includes a CTD array,submersible ROV, and plankton nets that can be deployed directly from the station’s boat along with standard laboratoryspace andequipment.

What is included in the Access

Unit of access: User/day

Modalities of Access: in-person access

Station briefings for visitors, safety equipment training, snowmobile training, boat support where necessary. Field support available in most cases but will need to be discussed with Station Manager. The typical duration of work is approximately 14 days. Allocation for a project would be based on requested dates and length of time required. The station tends to be open from March to September, depending on demand but can open at other times of the year if required.

Availability for access in the 2024 call

The availability for access in the 2024 call is 1st April to 30th September 2025.
Applicants wishing to access the NERC Station must contact the Station Manager(iadk[at]bas.ac.uk)as early as possible to discuss requirements and timings beforesubmitting their application to the POLARIN TA call. This is especially important if the project wishes to access the NERC Station inApril-May due to the timing of the potential announcement of successful projects and the time thenrequired to get the relevant permits and training inplace.

Time frame for access preparations

Contact should be made as soon as possible and no later than 6 weeks before the close of the funding call.

The research groups are asked to provide their booking in the RiS portal as soon as the access through POLARIN is confirmed.

Permits, licenses and training

Liaise with the Station Manager on the Norwegian Firearms Permit (please note that permit applications to the Governor of Svalbard’s office can take 4 weeks to be processed). Because polar bears pose a danger, all field team members must be rifle trained and permitted, (the Station Manager will discuss your plans in detail). It is Norwegian law for all rifle bearers to hold a permit provided by the Svalbard Governor’s office. Permit applications must be accompanied by a police background check (issued in your home nation) and proof of rifle training and proficiency. Please note that course, rifle permitting, and police background check costs must be met by the individual/project.All field team members will need to also complete the Kings Bay Weapons and Safety course upon arrival to Ny-Alesund.

Medical guidelines

All fieldwork team members complete the British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit (BASMU) medical forms and book a medical examination with their own doctor and dental check up with their own dentist at least 6 weeks prior to departure from their home country.  The cost for the medical and dental exams is to be met by the individual.