Internship: Benthic Communities around turbines with a Nature-Inclusive Design

Background

Offshore wind energy is becoming increasingly important in the Netherlands. As wind farms expand, there is growing interest in nature-inclusive designs, which aim to enhance biodiversity alongside energy generation. These designs can create new habitats for marine organisms—such as fish and shellfish—by offering shelter, substrate, or food sources.

In this research project, you will identify species that have settled around a nature-inclusive design and assess its effectiveness in promoting a healthy ecosystem. The video footage you will analyse was collected by us and our partners over the past year. Our team will support you in selecting suitable analysis methods and identifying species.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a student who:

• Has a strong interest in the North Sea and marine ecology
• Enjoys species identification, particularly (benthic) North Sea organisms
• Wants to learn more about nature-inclusive designs
• Works independently and takes initiative

This internship is part of a larger project involving collaboration with industry partners, NGOs, and researchers from multiple institutes. You will work in a small, dynamic team at Wageningen Marine Research (Den Helder), alongside experienced senior researchers, junior researchers, PhD students, and laboratory specialists in species identification.

Please note:

Due to strict regulations, participation in offshore fieldwork is not possible as part of this project.