The origins of the Sermilik Research Station date back to the 1970s, when the University of Copenhagen constructed a first research facility at the entrance to the Sermilik Fjord, on the island of Ammassalik, East Greenland, providing a logistical base for Arctic field studies. In 2022, the University of Graz launched a close collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and, thanks to a generous donation, expanded the facility by constructing a new, state-of-the-art two-story research building with space for 26 researchers as well as a basic dry and wet lab. The research site is now jointly operated by both universities.

The Sermilik Research Station is open to scientists from all disciplines, aiming to serve as a key hub for Arctic climate research and a vital bridge between academia and the local community. The station’s primary focus is on investigating the impacts of climate change on the polar environment, with an emphasis on long-term ecosystem monitoring and interdisciplinary studies.