Background
Oomycetes (Pseudofungi) are filamentous, fungal-like protists that can live as either parasites or saprotrophs. Parasitic species are notorious for causing terrestrial crop and tree loss such as potato blight and sudden oak death. Oomycetes can also affect aquatic organisms such as seagrass and kelp. Despite the ubiquity and ecological importance of marine oomycetes, their diversity and distribution patterns in Norway are largely unknown.
As part of an Artsdatabanken-funded project, Norwegian and international scientists are collaborating to obtain a comprehensive overview of the distribution and diversity of oomycetes associated with ecologically important seagrass, kelp, and other algae. The methods the collaboration are using include sampling different ecoregions along the Norwegian coast, environmental DNA sequencing, and culturing and microscopy.
We are seeking two first-semester master students to work with us. Familiarity with basic bioinformatics and laboratory skills is desirable, but we encourage students with a strong interest in the topic to apply.
Projects
The students will design their own projects with the help of the supervisors. The projects will enable the students to shape their own research questions based on what they envision for their future career; e.g., further in academia, research institutions, or industry. We aim for students to feel a personal ownership of their research, while providing the necessary support for both professional and personal growth.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes will depend on the projects chosen by the students. In general, students will learn how to bioinformatically handle large sequencing datasets to ask and answer fundamental biodiversity questions; these bioinformatic skills are applicable to analysing a broad range of ecological and evolutionary problems. The students will also learn how to present their research in a scientific talk and how to write a scientific paper.
What we offer
Our research environment values curiosity, commitment, and collaboration. Students will have desk space, access to laboratories, weekly meetings with supervisors, and additional networking opportunities. To discover what it is like to work at the Natural History Museum click here.
Supervisors
Students will be supervised by Isabelle Ewers and Micah Dunthorn at the Natural History Museum and Marit Bjorb?kmo at the Norsk institutt for vannforskning. Potential co-supervisors are Adriana Lopes dos Santos at the Department of Biosciences and Teppo R?m? at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
Contact info
Micah Dunthorn: micah.dunthorn@nhm.uio.no
Marit Bjorb?kmo: marit.m.bjorbaekmo@niva.no