NIOO-KNAW Netherlands Institute of Ecology 
Wageningen, Netherlands Offer Summary
The NIOO‑KNAW Netherlands Institute of Ecology in Wageningen invites students at MBO, HBO, or master level to join a full‑time internship focused on rapid evolutionary adaptation of rotifers to multiple stressors. Researchers are investigating how exposure to copper and elevated temperatures influences adaptation to each other. Interns will participate in laboratory evolution experiments, observe phenotypic changes, and analyze data under the guidance of supervisor Steven Declerck and daily mentor Shuwen Han. The position is open year‑round and requires a full‑time commitment.
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Project Description
Rapid evolutionary adaptation is increasingly considered as an important mechanism allowing animals to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Our research has shown that rotifers, a type of very common freshwater zooplankton, are able to adapt to poor food quality or enhanced salt concentrations in not more than a few months. At this moment, we investigate how rotifers cope with combinations of stressors. More specifically, we run evolution experiments in the laboratory exposing populations to the metal Cu and high temperatures, with the aim to study how adaptation to one stressor impedes or enhances the response to the other stressor.
This internship is open for MBO, HBO or masters level and can be taken up at any time of the year. The work requires a full time dedication.
Supervisor: Steven Declerck (s.declerck@nioo.knaw.nl)
Daily supervision: Shuwen Han