In August 2023, we participated on a research cruise with OceanX. We visited six stations in the Norwegian Sea, Sognesjøen, Sognefjorden and Masfjorden, thereby covering water masses of both Atlantic and Arctic origin, as well as coastal water and fjords. At each of the six stations visited, we filmed a vertical transect with an ROV as well as collected a physical net sample and eDNA samples. But how do these different sampling methods compare, and how can they be combined to provide a more comprehensive picture of the diversity of gelatinous zooplankton in the different watermasses? Help us find out!

This MSc project includes:

• Learning techniques at the DNA lab (DNA barcoding and -pending funding- eDNA)
• Analysing molecular data
• Annotating and analysing pelagic ROV video transects
• Analysing CTD data for watermass composition
• Joining activities for outreach and science popularization
• Presenting in academic events and potentially being part of a peer-reviewed publication

Interested? Contact Aino Hosia, Luis Martell, or Joan J Soto Angel.

Parasites infest arrow worms and jellies, trying to get to fish. We need molecular and morphology data to know ​who these parasites are, ​who the hosts are, and ​how often and when exactly they occur.

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According to the literature, some siphonophore species occur in both polar regions and their corresponding neighbouring waters, but are they really the same species or not? How similar/related are they?

This MSc project includes:

• Sampling opportunities in the Arctic​
• Learning techniques at the DNA lab (DNA barcoding) and the morphology lab (identification and taxonomy)​
• Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analysis
• Joining activities for outreach and science popularization​
• Presenting in academic events and potentially being part of ​a peer-reviewed publication
• Participation in European Project POLE2POLE (Horizon2020)​

​Interested? Contact Luis Martell, Joan J Soto Angel, or Aino Hosia

The diversity of Arctic hydrozoans in Norway is still poorly understood, despite the fact that these animals are important habitat-formers (some new habitats in Norwegian waters have been described based on them!).

For example, only 1 species of the hydrozoan genera Symplectoscyphus and Rhizocaulus are supposed to occur in the country, but preliminary data on genetic variation suggest there’s more than meets the eye.​

Are we about to discover a new species or is this variation normal for Arctic hydroids? Help us find out!

This MSc project includes:

• Sampling opportunities in the Arctic​
• Learning techniques at the DNA lab (DNA barcoding) and the morphology lab (identification and taxonomy)​
• Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analysis
• Joining activities for outreach and science popularization​
• Presenting in academic events and potentially being part of ​a peer-reviewed publication

Interested? Contact Luis Martell, Joan J Soto Angel, or Aino Hosia