Dartmouth JSEP Graduate Mentors

JSEP Graduate Mentor positions are available for Dartmouth graduate students interested in the Arctic, field research, and experiential teaching at cross-cultural and interdisciplinary field stations in Greenland

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

Funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs will support the participation of 3-5 Dartmouth graduate students per year in the Joint Science Education Project (JSEP). JSEP is a collaborative program between the U.S. and Greenland to educate the next generation of scientists through inquiry-based field learning in Greenland and additional remote learning activities. Dartmouth students have a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in this program as teachers and mentors of a group of high school and university students from Greenland, Denmark, and the U.S. 

JSEP Graduate Mentor Description

Over the course of three terms (Winter, Spring, and Summer 2026), JSEP Graduate Mentors will work closely with Dartmouth faculty to lead the U.S. contributions to the Joint Science Education Project (JSEP), which in 2026 will consist of a two-week field course in Greenland. Mentors are expected to be on campus for in-person participation with exceptions for occasional travel for conferences, field work, and other professional activities. Graduate Mentors will receive a stipend of $3,200* distributed over the course of the 8 month position. All travel and related expenses to Greenland are also covered. 

Winter and Spring terms: Mentors will attend an orientation and planning meetings for initial development of field-based and remote polar learning experiences. Mentors will attend polar-focused seminars and planning meetings focused on teaching in international classrooms, engaging students field-based learning, and responsible and safe conduct for working in the Arctic. These events will help graduate students further develop and finalize learning experiences. Mentors will also contribute to logistics and travel planning.

Summer term: Mentors will continue to develop field-based learning activities and travel to Greenland (~2 weeks) for the field-based JSEP program to lead a learning experience and mentor student-driven research. Successful completion of the JSEP Graduate Mentor position requires graduate students to also refine and summarize their approaches, concepts, and strategies for their polar learning experiences for broad dissemination 

*Graduate students receiving federal or institutional support in addition to a Dartmouth Fellowship (e.g., NSF GRFP, NIH SEPA) are able to participate but may be ineligible for stipend support through JSEP. Please contact Jessica Trout-Haney (jessica.volan.trout-haney@dartmouth.edu) to discuss any concerns you may have about this.

Eligibility

Incoming and continuing graduate students in good standing are eligible to apply, with preference given to Ph.D. students who can lead learning experiences in the natural, physical, environmental, and Arctic sciences. Prior polar field experience is not required. Previous JSEP Graduate Mentors are eligible to apply for this 8-month mentor position.

The PIs will assemble an anticipated  team of 3-5 JSEP Graduate Mentors who can collectively lead learning experiences related to ice, snow, polar engineering, ecology, and the dynamics of glacial landscapes and polar ecosystems. 

Application and anticipated timeline

Link to apply: https://forms.gle/DMprhn5Fp7vvmeyk6

At the time of submission, you are required to submit a CV and letter of support from your major advisor, along with statements of interest and professional development. The CV and letter of support must be emailed as PDFs to jessica.volan.trout-haney@dartmouth.edu. The statements of interest must be submitted in the google form linked above.

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

Notification of Selection: by December 12, 2025

Position Start Date: January 1, 2026

Since 2015, JSEP funding has supported 24 Dartmouth graduate students from across campus. Learn more about them here.