Bachelor or Master Thesis: Oxidative Stress Response under Thermal Stress during Embryonic Develo...

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institution in Germany is seeking a student for a Bachelor or Master thesis focused on the oxidative stress response in polar cod during embryonic development. Candidates should have a strong background in biology or related fields and be enrolled at a university. Responsibilities include executing enzymatic assays and analyzing experimental data. This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to vital research on climate impact on Arctic marine life.

Qualifikationen

• Must be enrolled at a University.
• Interest in experimental and analytical physiology is essential.
• Skills in careful lab work and documentation are required.

Aufgaben

• Execute spectrophotometric enzymatic assays (CAT, SOD, GTx).
• Perform protein quantification and activity normalization.
• Compare evaluations between temperature treatments and developmental stages.

Kenntnisse

Experimental physiology

Analytical skills

Careful lab work

Ausbildung

Enrolled at a University

Background in biology, biochemistry, physiology or related fields

Jobbeschreibung

Area of research

Diploma & Master Thesis

Job description

Bachelor or Master Thesis: Oxidative Stress Response under Thermal Stress during Embryonic Development of Polar Cod (Boreogadus saida)

Background

The arctic keystone species Boreogadus saida (Polar cod) is highly adapted to cold environments and plays a central role in Arctic marine food webs. The early developmental stages of polar cod have particularly low heat tolerance, and their high sensitivity makes them extremely vulnerable to climate‑induced ocean warming. Embryos typically develop optimally near 0°C, with hatch success and morphological integrity declining steeply above 3–4°C. Understanding physiological responses to such temperature stress is key to predicting future viability of high‑latitude fish populations.

Project description

This project offers the opportunity to explore cellular and enzymatic responses to oxidative stress during embryonic development under control (0°C) and warming (4°C) conditions. The student will analyze existing high‑resolution samples across developmental stages to quantify the activity of core antioxidant enzymes: Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione‑related enzymes (GTx). These enzymatic markers provide insight into the biochemical defense mechanisms countering reactive oxygen species (ROS) during temperature‑induced stress, complementing other available datasets on oxidative capacity and damage. The resulting data will contribute to a deeper mechanistic understanding of redox regulation during polar fish embryogenesis.

Your Tasks

• Execution of spectrophotometric enzymatic assays (CAT, SOD, GTx)
• Protein quantification and activity normalization
• Comparative evaluation between temperature treatments and developmental stages
• Optional integration with existing oxidative stress and morphometric datasets

Your Profile

• Enrolled at a University
• Interest in experimental and analytical physiology
• Careful lab work and documentation skills
• Background in biology, biochemistry, physiology or related fields

Further Information

Then please send us your application with Cover letter and CV (with all documents merged into one PDF file) by e‑mail to: Dr. Daniela Storch ([e-mail]). For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Micah Reismann ([e-mail]) or Dr. Daniela Storch of the section Integrative Ecophysiology at AWI, Bremerhaven.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over €5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.