Research infrastructure and services
Seili research station supports research and teaching on the Archipelago Sea and the Baltic Sea. The station provides a base for multidisciplinary fieldwork, experimental studies and environmental monitoring. The facilities are used for research projects, field courses and summer schools, as well as scientific meetings and workshops. Visitor and travel services on the island are provided in cooperation with Visit Seili.
Facilities and research environment
The station’s laboratories and workspaces are located in the main building and nearby research buildings in the centre of the island. Facilities are available to Finnish and international researchers, universities, schools and organisations, as well as companies carrying out research or environmental work.
We provide:
- laboratories and workrooms
- motorboats and field transport
- field and laboratory equipment
- indoor and outdoor experimental areas with flow-through seawater
- access to coastal and offshore study sites across the Archipelago Sea
Data and environmental samples
Long-term environmental observations form a key part of the Seili research environment. Available datasets include:
- weather observations
- seawater quality (including automated monitoring)
- plankton community data
Research support
Seili provides practical support for fieldwork and experiments in coastal and archipelago environments. Equipment and services are available for a wide range of topics, including marine and coastal ecosystems, fish populations and experimental ecology. Researchers and project groups are welcome to contact the station to discuss facilities, equipment and logistics.
Teaching and courses
The station hosts university field courses, summer schools and school visits. We provide laboratories, equipment and field access to support hands-on learning in marine and environmental sciences.
Accommodation and travel
Accommodation, restaurant and visitor services on Seili Island are provided by the independent operator Visit Seili. Please see their website for details and bookings.
Research infrastructure networks
The Archipelago Research Institute participates in Finnish and European research infrastructure networks, including FINMARI, EMBRC-ERIC, INAR RI and the Finnish Research Stations network (RESTAT).
Facilities and research equipment
Laboratory facilities
Seili research station provides laboratories, workrooms and teaching spaces for coastal and Baltic Sea research, sample processing and courses. Facilities include lecture rooms, preparation areas, laboratories for basic and specialised analyses, and indoor and outdoor aquaria and mesocosm systems for experimental work with flow-through seawater.
The historic main building houses teaching and laboratory spaces together with shared work areas. An outdoor mesocosm area (approx. 8 × 5 m) contains 16 movable aquaria supplied with natural seawater. Long-term environmental data from Seili are available for research use, including automated seawater monitoring from the station buoy.
Accommodation, catering and visitor services on Seili Island are provided by the independent operator Visit Seili.
Access and booking
Research facilities and services are available by prior booking. Visiting researchers, courses and remote users of station data are asked to submit a booking enquiry well in advance of the planned visit.
We kindly ask all visitors to the Research institute, as well as those wishing to use the station’s data or services remotely, to complete the booking inquiry form well in advance of their planned visit so that we can accommodate your requests as effectively as possible. This form is also used to invoice, communicate about, and report on services provided by the station.
Before submitting a booking inquiry, please also familiarize yourself with the guidelines for research activities at the Seili Research Station (PDF).
Details of bench fees, equipment rental and terms of use are provided in the station price list.
You may also contact us via email: varaukset-seili@utu.fi
Research vessel and boat services
Seili research station provides vessels and boat transport for fieldwork in the Archipelago Sea. Services are available for research groups, courses and individual researchers. The station’s location allows efficient access to coastal and offshore sampling sites across the archipelago.
Pricing and rental conditions are given in the station price list. Please contact the station to plan vessel use and field logistics.
For more detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Research vessel r/v Aurelia
r/v Aurelia is a purpose-built research vessel designed for multidisciplinary work in shallow archipelago waters. It is used for sampling, surveys, experimental work and teaching.
The vessel is operated by an experienced captain and deck hand who ensure safe operations and can assist with fieldwork.
Capacity and use
- up to 40 persons (day operations)
- accommodation for up to 7 persons if required
Principal dimensions
- length 18.1 m
- beam 5.0 m
- draft 1.5 m
- maximum speed 15 knots
- built 1991
Working and laboratory spaces
- outdoor working deck 16.4 m²
- lowered sampling deck 15.5 m²
- small wet laboratory 2.9 m²
- mess areas
Onboard equipment and utilities
- 500 kg winch
- freshwater and seawater supply
- WC
- refrigerator/freezer
- drying cabinet
- basic galley (cooker, microwave, coffee/tea)
Field sampling equipment
A wide range of sampling and measurement equipment is available for use onboard r/v Aurelia, including:
- CTD (RBR Concerto: salinity, temperature, oxygen, pH)
- water samplers (Limnos) and handheld probes
- Secchi discs
- sediment corers and grabs (e.g. GEMAX, Limnos, Ekman, Van Veen)
- plankton nets (20–335 µm; standard, closing, Manta, MultiNet)
- side-scan sonar (Sonartech S-150Ai)
- ROVs
Minor Range 7600
The Minor 7600 (acquired 2023) is used for both transport and sampling in the Archipelago Sea. Researchers may rent the motorboat for independent fieldwork (subject to competence and conditions).
- length 7.5 m
- 160 hp
- up to 8 passengers
Small Motorboats
Researchers may rent small motorboats for independent fieldwork (subject to competence and conditions).
Available boats include:
- Faster 515 (60 hp, up to 6 persons)
- small motorboats (5 hp)
- rowing boats
See also
Collaboration network
