Internship Experimental Assessment

• Internship Experimental as... Internship Experimental assessment of meroplankton grazing on phytoplankton Zooplankton play a crucial role in marine food webs by transferring energy from phytoplankton to higher trophic levels. During periods of high abundance, grazing by zooplankton can strongly regulate phytoplankton biomass and alter the composition of primary producer communities. While grazing rates of many dominant holoplanktonic species have been extensively studied, much less is known about the grazing impact of meroplankton - the larval stages of benthic organisms such as bivalves, echinoderms, and polychaetes. Recent studies indicate that meroplankton are becoming increasingly abundant in the North Sea, while several holoplankton groups are declining in response to changing environmental conditions. Despite their growing ecological importance, the role of meroplankton in controlling phytoplankton production remains largely unexplored. Understanding their grazing impact is therefore essential for predicting future changes in coastal marine food webs. Project description As part of the MONS project, mesocosm experiments will be conducted at NIOZ Yerseke to quantify the grazing rates of different meroplankton groups under controlled environmental conditions. During this internship, you will: • assist with the setup and execution of mesocosm grazing experiments; • collect and process biological samples in the laboratory; • analyse phytoplankton and zooplankton data; • perform statistical analyses and interpret the experimental results; • contribute to improving our understanding of the ecological role of meroplankton in North Sea ecosystems. This internship offers hands-on experience with experimental marine ecology, plankton ecology, and ecological data analysis, making it well suited for students interested in marine biology, ecology, or environmental sciences. Requirements and application • MSc student (or advanced BSc) in Marine Biology, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or a related field. • Interest in marine ecology and experimental research. • Enthusiasm for both laboratory work and data analysis. Practical information: • Location: NIOZ Yerseke, The Netherlands • Start date: Mid-February 2027 (flexible) • Duration: 4-6 months Interested? For more information or to apply, please contact Büring at