Infrastructure and Facilities

Some of IC3’s most exciting field research is being run out of Troll Station in Antarctica, a fully equipped year-round scientific station run by our partner NPI that can host dozens of scientists.

iC3’s researchers have excellent access to Svalbard, including to the world’s northernmost year-round research station, Ny-Ålesund, which is managed by our partner NPI. Access to Kongsfjorden, a fjord inlet where glaciers discharge meltwater into Arctic seas, allows iC3 scientists to study how melting ice sheets are affecting ocean ecosystems and locally analyse their samples in a purpose built lab.

Ice-class vessel Kronprins Haakon allows the iC3 team to study the oceans in frozen and open waters all year round. The vessel is equipped with extensive on-board laboratories, a moonpool and dynamic positioning, providing world-leading facilities for Polar marine research.

iC3 scientists have access to Helmer Hanssen, a research vessel owned by the university. Operating in the waters around Svalbard and eastern Greenland, the vessel allows our team to conduct marine biological, geological and oceanographic surveys, including bottom sediment sampling.

Both the Polar MAGIC lab and the Geology Laboratory are housed within the same building as iC3. Polar MAGIC is a new facility that is systematically being built up to meet the desires and needs of researchers. The established Geology lab has four staff and a wealth of facilities. Details here.

iC3’s team has access to strong modelling capacity and experience that combines ice sheet, carbon cycle, hydrate, and physical-biogeochemical numerical models.