Internships

Experience the life of a (field) ecologist

Are you a biology student who is interested in alpine ecology, vegetation science, functional traits and ecosystem ecology, and how climate change will affect alpine and/or high-latitude ecosystems? Then you are the right person for a research internship with us. Our internships will give you the chance to work with new fields and habitats, to learn important skills for a biologist such as data collection and analysis, critical thinking and problem solving, plus you will get a glimpse of the day-to-day work of ecologists and possibly establish contacts for future jobs abroad.

We typically accept interns during summer, when the field season is in full swing. Our research is conducted through highly collaborative projects, and as an intern, you will join one or more of our research teams to get a taste of life as a researcher in such project-based research groups. This provides you with ample opportunities to gain new experiences and skills, usually through a mix of field work, lab work, and data management and reporting.

We are aware that internships can have slightly different meanings and requirements between countries and universities. Please note that an internship in our group is not typically tailored to provide the intern with an individual research project.

In addition, we have some opportunities for data-based or lab-based projects that allow distance internship or opportunities to work with us outside the field season.

  • Read about the experiences of our former interns here!
  • Are you interested in an internship with us? We regularly announce internship opportunities here, on this page.
  • We are also connected to IAESTE where we advertise internships every year, and the Erasmus Student Network.

Internships summer 2022

We enlist the help of several students this summer to assist with our partnered research projects. Our studies are mostly related to climate, global change, and their effects on mountain ecosystems. Our internships will give you the chance to work with new fields and habitats and learn important skills for a biologist, such as data collection and analysis, critical thinking and problem solving. You will thus get a glimpse of the day-to-day work of ecologists and possibly establish contacts for future jobs abroad.

As an intern, you can be involved in setting up field experiments, collecting data in the field on plants (botany, demography, monitoring field experiments), mosses and soil mesofauna; processing samples and collecting data (e.g. plant functional traits) in the laboratory; as well as improving your computer skills through data analysis, data processing, and/or developing online tools.

These internships last between 1 and maximum 3 months. Most internships will be available throughout the summer field season (June–August), but there might be some exceptions based on locations and project needs; see below.

The internship position will cover a fixed per diem rate of 10.800 NOK per month. Travel costs (if applicable, and economy class) will be covered by the project as well.

This is a collaboration between the University of Bergen in Norway and our international partners at The University Centre in Svalbard, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Møreforskning AS, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, University of Pretoria, Chinese academy of sciences, and University of Minnesota.

Requirements:

You are a student in (or have studied) biology or a related subject (BSc or MSc). Students at the University of Bergen, The University Centre in Svalbard, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, University of Pretoria, Chinese academy of sciences, and University of Minnesota will be prioritised in the selection process.

Disclaimer: Due to COVID-19, and ongoing unstable political conditions in Europe, field plans and travel opportunities may change. We may therefore have to prioritize candidates living in the country of the internship location for our field and lab-based internships. Data-based internships that can be done at a distance, are of course possible internationally.

To apply, please send you application to the contact person listed in the location specific texts below. Your application should include:

  • Cover letter (±1 page) detailing your study background, relevant skills and competences, your interests, and when you would be available this summer,
  • CV,
  • The names and contact information for two professional and/or academic reference persons.

The application deadline is 29th of April 2022.

Locations