MSc thesis project advertisement
Names of the supervisors: Alexander Eiler (UiO), Even Werner (UiO)
Collaborators: Alessio Gomiero (NORCE)
Preferred project period: September 2025 – June 2027
Background
Anthropogenic drivers such as climate change, eutrophication, and overfishing, are putting coastal marine systems under pressure. While changes in biodiversity have been observed they are difficult to predict and prevent, most likely due to our knowledge gaps of species interactions. We believe that a detailed understanding of how the food webs are structured is a vital piece of information to establish ecologically and economically effective countermeasures.
Project description
In this project, the student(s) will carry out experiments to characterize the gut content of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) from the Oslofjord by reconstructing the food web utilization of these predators by targeting both their prey and the prey of the prey through DNA metabarcoding. Furthermore, the students will perform stable isotope analyses to obtain the trophic state and origin of primary production underlying the food web by the analysis of blue mussel tissue. In the Oslofjord, primary production on land has been suggested to become a more and more important component of the marine food web.
The student will perform metabarcoding of the gut content to assess the diversity of the mussels food source (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity). The student will also perform stable isotope analyses on tissue samples. In addition access to additional data including toxicological tests, and antibiotic resistance gene screens will allow the student to put the data into an ecotoxicological context.
Learning outcomes
In addition to critical thinking and report writing, the student will develop skills in experimental design and laboratory work, particularly, DNA metabarcoding and stable isotope analysis, bioinformatics, and multivariate analysis. The project includes laboratory work at UiO. The project will include occasional sampling trips around the Oslofjord.
What we offer
We offer an inclusive and stimulating research environment where the student is encouraged to join the research group activities and engage with other students and researchers in the group. This work will be part of the project “Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics under Anthropogenic Pressures” https://www.mn.uio.no/ibv/english/research/sections/aqua/research-projects/coastal-ecosystems/index.html
If you are interested
Please send us a brief description of yourself and of your motivation for this project.
alexander.eiler@ibv.uio.no or even.werner@ibv.uio.no