Master Thesis

Vor 6 Tagen

Leipzig, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

The UFZ

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.

The job

Plant-pollinator interactions are crucial for the pollination of most plants and play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity. While most research focuses on diurnal pollinators like bees and butterflies, moths (Lepidoptera) are key nocturnal pollinators whose importance may be underappreciated. Emerging evidence shows that moths pollinate a wide range of plant species across diverse ecosystems. However, limited research exists on nocturnal plant-pollinator interactions due to the challenges of capturing these interactions in darkness without disrupting natural behavior.
Traditional methods to monitor night pollinators involve light traps (which disrupt behavior) or watching flowers using night vision goggles. The rise of AI-driven biodiversity monitoring offers promising new methods to monitor night pollination. Automated camera traps capable of AI-based insect detection to trigger image capture are currently in development by our team for diurnal pollinator monitoring. Adapting these tools for monitoring nocturnal pollination is the next exciting frontier.
In this project, we aim to develop and test an automated camera trap with night vision capability, specifically designed to monitor plant-pollinator interactions in the field, with a focus on nocturnal pollinators. This advancement would significantly expand our understanding of pollinator networks, complementing daytime data with critical nocturnal insights.
The master thesis is part of the (Standardized European monitoring of Plant-Pollinator Interactions), which aims to develop and test protocols for the automated monitoring of pollinators and their interactions with plants, with the goal of scaling this approach across Europe. This research offers the opportunity to advance the understanding of full plant-pollinator networks, integrating both diurnal and nocturnal interactions.

The position to prepare the Master's thesis is limited to 6 months and will be supervised in Leipzig at the iDiv centre (German Centre for Integrated Biodiversity Research). The Master’s student will have the opportunity to work with a supportive team of mentors with expertise in AI, hardware development and pollination ecology.

Your tasks

In this Master’s thesis, you will modify an existing to enable nocturnal monitoring of plant-pollinator interactions. You will test these DIY camera traps in a field study within Leipzig city. The tasks include:

Development of software and hardware components for an Raspberry Pi-based automated camera trap that can capture nocturnal plant-pollinator interactions Testing the DIY camera traps in a dark lab and at night in field settings, including staying in the field during late hours to evaluate the equipment Field data collection of plant-pollinator interactions using the developed camera traps, as well as traditional methods (e.g. Flower-Insect Timed Count) Optional: Microscopy work to identify captured nocturnal pollinators Data processing, annotation, and AI classification of captured images based on already established workflows Data analysis

We offer

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

Your profile

Background in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Biology, Ecology, or a related field with a passion for and experience working with microcomputers such as Raspberry Pis Basic programming skills in Python Experience or interest in pollination ecology and insect classification is a plus Experience with R is a plus Fluency in spoken and written English Willingness to conduct fieldwork during nighttime in a secure location, including staying up late

  • Thesis (Bachelor/Master).NET Developer

    vor 1 Monat

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    Join our team as a Thesis (Bachelor/Master).NET DeveloperWe are looking for a motivated and skilled student to join our team as a Thesis (Bachelor/Master).NET Developer. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience and contribute to the development of our IT infrastructure.What we offerA dynamic and supportive team...

  • Thesis (Bachelor/Master).NET Developer

    vor 1 Monat

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    Join our team as a Thesis (Bachelor/Master).NET DeveloperWe are looking for a motivated and skilled student to join our team as a Thesis (Bachelor/Master).NET Developer. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience and contribute to the development of our IT infrastructure.What we offerA dynamic and supportive team...

  • Thesis Projektmitarbeiter

    vor 4 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    ÜberblickWir suchen einen motivierten und engagierten Thesis Projektmitarbeiter (Bachelor/Master).NET (alle Geschlechter) zum Aufbau unserer IT-Infrastruktur.Was erwarten wir von dir?Deine Praxiserfahrung sammelst du bei uns und unterstützt uns bei der Automatisierung unserer IT-Prozesse.Wir arbeiten gemeinsam im Team an Lösungen für unsere...

  • Thesis Projektmitarbeiter

    vor 4 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    ÜberblickWir suchen einen motivierten und engagierten Thesis Projektmitarbeiter (Bachelor/Master).NET (alle Geschlechter) zum Aufbau unserer IT-Infrastruktur.Was erwarten wir von dir?Deine Praxiserfahrung sammelst du bei uns und unterstützt uns bei der Automatisierung unserer IT-Prozesse.Wir arbeiten gemeinsam im Team an Lösungen für unsere...

  • Master Thesis

    Vor 6 Tagen

    Leipzig, Deutschland Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung UFZ Vollzeit

    Topic: Revealing the Hidden World of Nocturnal Pollinators through AI-enabled camera traps Contract limitations limited contract - Contact **Your contact for any questions you may have about the job**: Diversity and Inclusion The UFZ has a strong commitment to **diversity** and actively supports **equal opportunities** for all employees regardless of...

  • Master Thesis in The Field of Biosensor Technology

    vor 4 Monaten

    Leipzig, Deutschland Cell Therapy and Immunology Vollzeit

    **What you will do** For the joint Master Thesis, we aim for the selective functionalization of a carbon nanotube-based biosensor and investigation of the transistor characteristics upon exposure to liquid environments. This includes the optimization of functionalization routes for different probes and the study of surface properties. The device...

  • Thesis Projektmitarbeiter

    vor 2 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    ÜberblickWir suchen einen motivierten und engagierten Thesis Projektmitarbeiter (Bachelor/Master).NET (alle Geschlechter) zum Aufbau unserer IT-Infrastruktur.Was erwartet dich?Praxiserfahrung sammeln und uns bei der Automatisierung unserer IT-Prozesse unterstützen.Ein Teamplayer sein und gemeinsam an Lösungen für unsere IT-Infrastruktur arbeiten.Neben...

  • Thesis Projektmitarbeiter

    vor 2 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    ÜberblickWir suchen einen motivierten und engagierten Thesis Projektmitarbeiter (Bachelor/Master).NET (alle Geschlechter) zum Aufbau unserer IT-Infrastruktur.Was erwartet dich?Praxiserfahrung sammeln und uns bei der Automatisierung unserer IT-Prozesse unterstützen.Ein Teamplayer sein und gemeinsam an Lösungen für unsere IT-Infrastruktur arbeiten.Neben...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 2 Monaten

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    About the PositionThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated master student to contribute to our research team in the field of environmental sciences. Our mission is to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.Job DescriptionWe are looking for a candidate to work...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 2 Monaten

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    About the PositionThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated master student to contribute to our research team in the field of environmental sciences. Our mission is to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.Job DescriptionWe are looking for a candidate to work...

  • Master Thesis

    vor 3 Monaten

    Leipzig, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    The UFZ 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...

  • Thesis Projektmitarbeiter

    vor 4 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    ÜberblickWir suchen einen motivierten und engagierten Thesis Projektmitarbeiter (Bachelor/Master).NET (alle Geschlechter) für unsere IT-Abteilung.Was erwartet dich?Praktische Erfahrung sammeln und uns bei der Automatisierung unserer IT-Prozesse unterstützen.Ein Teamplayer sein und gerne Wissen austauschen.Motiviert, zuverlässig und selbstständig...

  • Thesis Projektmitarbeiter

    vor 4 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland EXXETA Vollzeit

    ÜberblickWir suchen einen motivierten und engagierten Thesis Projektmitarbeiter (Bachelor/Master).NET (alle Geschlechter) für unsere IT-Abteilung.Was erwartet dich?Praktische Erfahrung sammeln und uns bei der Automatisierung unserer IT-Prozesse unterstützen.Ein Teamplayer sein und gerne Wissen austauschen.Motiviert, zuverlässig und selbstständig...

  • Master Thesis Researcher

    vor 2 Wochen

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    About the ProjectThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research is seeking a highly motivated Master's thesis researcher to contribute to a project focused on developing an automated data integration workflow that combines chemical exposure data with biodiversity records. This project aims to bridge the gap between chemical data and biodiversity...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 1 Monat

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    Job Title: Master Thesis in Environmental ResearchThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated master student to work on a research project focused on optimizing land-use in agricultural landscapes. The project aims to develop an interactive optimization algorithm that incorporates stakeholder preferences to maximize...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 1 Monat

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    Job Title: Master Thesis in Environmental ResearchThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated master student to work on a research project focused on optimizing land-use in agricultural landscapes. The project aims to develop an interactive optimization algorithm that incorporates stakeholder preferences to maximize...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 1 Monat

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    Job Title: Master Thesis in Environmental ResearchThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated master student to work on a research project focused on optimizing land-use in agricultural landscapes. The project aims to develop an interactive optimization algorithm that incorporates stakeholder preferences to maximize...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 2 Monaten

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    {"title": "Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research", "content": "Join us at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchWe are seeking a highly motivated master student to work on a research project focused on optimizing land use in agricultural landscapes. The project aims to develop an interactive optimization algorithm that incorporates...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 2 Monaten

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    {"title": "Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research", "content": "Join us at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchWe are seeking a highly motivated master student to work on a research project focused on optimizing land use in agricultural landscapes. The project aims to develop an interactive optimization algorithm that incorporates...

  • Master Thesis Opportunity in Environmental Research

    vor 1 Monat

    Leipzig, Sachsen, Deutschland Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Vollzeit

    Job Title: Master Thesis in Environmental ResearchThe Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated master student to work on a research project focused on optimizing land-use in agricultural landscapes. The project aims to develop an interactive optimization algorithm that incorporates stakeholder preferences to maximize...