Open Position for Master’s Thesis at Plant-Insect Interactions Chair: Assessing Fitness Parameters in Reed-Nesting Solitary Bees

14.09.2026, Diplomarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

Nutritional stress caused by limited access to suitable floral resources is considered a major driver of bee pollinator decline. However, it is still unclear how land-use intensity affects the diversity and quality of floral resources and, in turn, the fitness of wild bees. Therefore, we investigate fitness-related traits and the nesting biology of cavity-nesting wild bees along a land-use gradient.

Methodological approach:
Nests (reeds) from wild bees were collected in 2026 from a range of
plots in the three Biodiversity Exploratory sites. We are looking for a
student to open the reeds in the lab and assess, e.g.:
• Species composition and abundance
• Sex ratio
• Offspring survival
• Parasitism

Time frame:
Flexible, duration based on the degree/project.

Location:
TUM Forestry building

You can write the report in either English or German.

Kontakt: annalena.becker@tum.de