Bachelor Thesis​/Master Thesis

Topic:
The influence of biofilms as a source of pollutants on the common pond snail Lymnea stagnalis Contract limitations

limited contract

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Eberhard Küster (, )

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo
, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission:
Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

Biofilms play a central role in aquatic ecosystems, serving as a vital food source for many organisms, including the great pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. But what happens when biofilms are contaminated with pollutants? How do these contaminants affect feeding behavior, reproduction, or other biological processes? Does trophic transfer of these pollutants occur, and could the next generation of contaminated snails also be affected?

This master’s thesis offers the opportunity to explore fundamental ecotoxicological questions while gaining practical research experience.

In this project, you will investigate the acute and chronic effects of direct (via water phase) and indirect (via contaminated food or biofilm) exposure on L. stagnalis, with a focus on:

• Grazing behavior:
  Does feeding behavior change when snails are exposed to contaminated biofilm?
• Reproduction:
  Are there effects on reproductive rates or offspring development?
• Behavior:
  Do snails exhibit changes in activity, stress responses, or other behavioral parameters?
• Trophic transfer:
  Are pollutants transferred from biofilm to snails, or are they primarily absorbed from the surrounding water?
• Sensitivity:
  Are embryos as sensitive to pollutants as adult snails?
• Methods:
  Literature research, cultivation of L. stagnalis and biofilms under controlled conditions, exposure experiments with contaminated biofilm or water (single substances and mixtures)
• Optional:
  Analysis of biochemical/physiological markers of adaptation or detoxification mechanisms (if interested)
• Presentation of results in team meetings

The position for this master’s thesis is limited to 9 months (depending on university regulations) and will be supervised at the Leipzig location.

• Excellent supervision that supports your personal and professional development
• Exciting insights into the work of a leading research institute
• The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• The opportunity to contribute and actively shape your own ideas and impulses right from the start
• Modern technical equipment and IT service to optimally support your work

• Enrolled in an M.Sc. program in Biology, Hydrobiology, Environmental Sciences, or a related field
• Strong interest in ecotoxicology, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, or mixture toxicology
• Experience in aquatic ecology or ecotoxicology would be an advantage