Citizens of Svalbard Treaty signatory countries need no permits to work on Svalbard; you can even set up your own mine if so inclined. In practice, work opportunities are rather more limited, although there is some seasonal tourist industry work available during the summer if you have the requisite skills and language abilities Norwegian will come in handy. The Governor of Svalbard does, however, have the right to boot you off the island if you cannot support yourself.
The University Centre in Svalbard
unis, (http://www.unis.no). a private foundation run by four norwegian universities, offers university-level courses in arctic biology, geology, geophysics and technology. several hundred students, half of them exchange students from outside norway, attend yearly.