Are you looking for PhD stipend?
PhD studies at University of Bergen are based on employment at UiB or a cooperating research institute such as Norce or the Institue of Marine Research. All PhD positions at UiB must be openly advertised. There is thus no reason to contact a TEG researcher to ask for a PhD opportunity. It is possible, however, to contact a researcher to propose a PhD project within one of TEGs research fields, and to work on a joint grant application that can be submitted to the Research Council of Norway (RCN). The deadline for such applications is normally in March, and RCN requires that the supervisor is the formal applicant. The competition within RCN is strong, with more than 90% rejection rate. Suggestions for such proposals must therefore come months before the deadline.
Looking for a Master’s project?
The Theoretical Ecology Group welcomes new Master’s students in all our research themes. Here are some potential topics:
- Data analysis: Mesopelagic–demersal trophic connectivity along the Faroe Islands shelf break (Hélène Thibault, Tom J. Langbehn)
- Modelling: Population dynamics and harvest strategies of the Amazonian Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) (Katja Enberg)
- Modelling: Optimal spawning time in cod, behavioural flexibility and physiological constraints (Anders F. Opdal, Øyvind Fiksen)
- Data analysis: Evolution and trade-offs between courtship signals in bowerbirds (Terje Lislevand (Natural History Museum) and Arjen A. W. van der Kamp)
- Data analysis: How does beak morphology influence birdsong in sunbirds and spiderhunters (Aves: Nectariniidae)? (Terje Lislevand (Natural History Museum) and Arjen A. W. van der Kamp)
- How do lunar cycles structure plankton communities? Predictions from MinMod and field data from the Canary Islands (Øyvind Fiksen and Tom J. Langbehn with support from Dag L. Aksnes and Santiago Hernández-León).
- Literature mining: Barriers and solutions for supplying more small pelagic fish for direct human consumption in Norway (suitable for 30 ECTS in Marine sustainability) (Gabriella Ljungström, Tom J. Langbehn, and Katja Enberg)
- Literature review and data analysis: Environmental and nutritional consequences of replacing fish with land-based protein sources (suitable for 60 ECTS in Marine sustainability) (Gabriella Ljungström, Tom J. Langbehn, and Christian Jørgensen)
- Literature review: Harvesting of small pelagic fish worldwide - is there evidence for capping management strategies? (suitable for 30 or 60 ECTS in Fisheries /Marine biology / Marine sustainability) (Gabriella Ljungström, Tom J. Langbehn, and Katja Enberg)
- Is advective feeding on gelatinous prey at depth in the dark a low-cost, low-risk, low-reward strategy for Greater Argentine? Otolith reading, data analysis, and perhaps modelling. (Tom J. Langbehn and Katja Enberg or Christian Jørgensen)
Insitute of Marine Research maintains a list of potential Master's topics.
Some of our colleagues in Bergen and nearby offer projects on related topics. Check their pages for updates:
- Terje Lislevand at the University Museum of Bergen offers field projects on birds.
- Monica Solberg at the Institute of Marine Research offers masters theses on interactions between wild and farmed Atlantic salmon.
You can also check our Research web pages and contact potential supervisors directly to inquire whether they will have an opening for new MSc students in the near future. The best way to make first contact is to present your background and research interests briefly in an email.
Information on application dates, recommended or required courses, and many other practicalities for being a Master of Science (MSc) student at Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, can be found here.
Most or all MSc education at the Department of Biological Sciences (and the Faculty of Science) is in English, and most MSc theses are written in English.
Past Master’s Students
Gina Brøten
MSc 2026
Thesis title:
Crabs on camera: Improving the monitoring of the brown crab (Cancer pagurus) with machine learning and Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV).
[ open access pdf ]
Supervisors: Fabian Zimmermann (IMR), Johanna Bjånes Marcussen (UiA/IMR), Tonje Knutsen Sørdalen (IMR) and
Katja Enberg.
Sofie Haave Orthe
MSc 2026
Thesis title:
Trawling impacts on shelf benthic communities in Raet National Park: a BRUV study.
[ open access pdf ]
Supervisors: Alf Ring Kleiven (IMR), James David Poling (UIA/IMR), Diana Hammar Perry (SLU) and
Katja Enberg.
Eirik Laksemo
MSc 2026
Thesis title:
Long-Term effects of sediment ripping on shelter availability and densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the rivers Aurlandselvi and Suldalslågen.
[ open access pdf ]
Supervisors:
Ulrich Pulg (NORCE) and
Øyvind Fiksen.
Sverre Espedalen Punsvik
MSc 2026
Thesis title:
Comparing baited remote underwater video with conventional gears in a coastal fish monitoring survey: Community, size-structure and habitat information.
[ open access pdf ]
Supervisors: Brian stock (IMR), Alf Ring Kleiven (IMR) and
Katja Enberg.
Linnea Thomassen
MSc 2026
I am studying the effects of salt concentrations and habitats on shell strength and thickness of the blue mussel (
Mytilus edulis). The study is conducted along a gradient in Hardangerfjorden. Supervisors:
Tore Strohmeier (IMR) and
Øystein Varpe.
Jens Braaten Ustvedt
MSc 2026
Thesis title:
Same species, different plaices: A spatial-temporal investigation of fisheries and biology of European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) along the Norwegian coast.
[ open access pdf ]
Supervisors: Kjell Nedreaas (IMR),
Katja Enberg, Sofie Gundersen (IMR) and Christine Djønne (IMR).
Sofie Karlstad
MSc 2026
My Master’s thesis will assess the effectiveness of metabarcoding and eDNA methods for detecting gelatinous zooplankton, focusing on primer accuracy and reference database improvements.
Supervisors: Aino Hosia (Bergen University Museum), Luis Felipe Martell Hernandez (Bergen University Museum), Sanna Majaneva (NTNU), and
Katja Enberg.
Rebekka Haugland
MSc 2025
I am exploring the impacts of substituting small pelagic fish with alternative protein sources from land and sea. My research focuses on greenhouse gas emissions, nutritional value, and the potential of sustainable diets.
Supervisors:
Gabriella Ljungström and
Katja Enberg.
Brage Seime Øygard
MSc 2025
My Master’s thesis investigates how predatory fishes influence ecosystem functioning, using stereo video data collected through Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) surveys.
Supervisors: Even Moland (IMR), Alf Ring Kleiven (IMR), and
Katja Enberg.
Ingvild Marie Krohn Riska
MSc 2023
I combined insights from an individual based model with field-based observations to study the effect of artificial light on the behaviour and distribution of pelagic organisms in the water column. Specifically, what is the sampling bias introduced by a lit research vessel.
Supervisors:
Øystein Varpe,
Anders F. Opdal, and
Tom J. Langbehn.
Kristine Rokke
MSc 2018
Thesis title:
Mesopelagic sound scattering layers and possible explanations for their diel variations in
Bjørnafjorden, western Norway.
[ open access pdf ]
Supervisor: Thor Klevjer (IMR), Espen Strand(IMR), Anne Gro Salvanes, and
Dag L. Aksnes.
Punam Sharma
MSc 2016
Thesis title:
Solar radiative heating of the ocean.
Supervisors: Børge Hamre (Department of Physics and Technology) and
Dag L. Aksnes.
Zofia Burr
MSc 2014
Thesis title:
Breeding later at higher latitudes: explaining seabird reproductive timing in the northeastern Atlantic..
Zoe's MSc thesis was the basis for her paper
Burr et al. 2016 in
Ecosphere.
Supervisors: Rune Rosland,
Øyvind Fiksen, and
Øystein Varpe.
Christina Blekeli
Marius Haram Halvorsen
Mathilde Haugvaldstad
Ole Henrik Høydal
Ricco Ip
Marius Emil Lid
Marie Borge Nørsterud
Hannah Lovise Storesletten Sødal
Ruth-Sofie Rødberg Arne
Malene Dekke Eik
Hanif Kawousi
Yola Keenlyside
Bergfrid Høgås Skjæveland
Kristian Rørhus Fjell
Frida Wickmann
Eirik Hoddevik Hovstad
Nadja Meister
Astrid Holtan Fredriksen
Andreas Hjartåker
Steinar Thorsen Trengereid
Andreas Næss Holme
Margot Ulfsdatter Nyeggen
Sigrid Tveitnes
Marte Ulltang
Valeriya A. Vyalkova
Kamilla Flateseth Furseth
Julianne Netteland
Synne Myhre Sunde
Elinor Tessin
Marie Danielsen
Lars Kristian Landsrød
Vilde Steinsdotter Ihler
Thomas Njerve Olsen
Randi Elisabeth Åsly
Daniel Einarsen Sellæg
Simon Miljeteig
Bjørn Snorre Andersen
Eirik Norheim
Stian Indrevåg
Dorothy J. Dankel (Dorothy J. Housholder)