NERC Station
In 1991 the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) established a research station at Ny-Ålesund. The station which supports mostly earth and life science field projects is open in April which has cold spring conditions and for the summer season which lasts June to September.Managed by the British Antarctic Survey, who employs a station manager, the NERC station supports up to forty scientists each year involved in as many as sixteen research projects.
The location is particularly suitable for ecological research, glacial/periglacial geomorphology, hydrology and atmospheric chemistry.
The NERC station comprises 440m² of laboratory, workshop and storage space plus single bedrooms (additional accommodation can be provided by Kings Bay a/s).
NERC posts an “Announcement of Opportunity” on both the NERC and BAS web sites inviting scientists to apply for station support. Projects pay their own travel and subsistence costs. Funding sources are various, NERC funded projects are given priority use of the station.
Science proposals are scrutinised for their attention to safety, suitability for the Ny-Ålesund area and compatibility with current projects. Proposals are discussed with appropriate scientists before being submitted to NYSMAC.
The induction processes for individual scientists include, personal information, risk assessments, COSHH assessments, a station handbook, station briefings and field training including firearms, radio, skidoo driving and glacier travel.