Graduate and Master dissertation topics
The scientif team of the JURASSICA Museum proposes research topics for Graduate and Master students, especially in the domaines of paleontology and geosciences. Prospective students may contact the researchers directly to discuss available topics or any other sublect they would like to work on.
Examples of available topics
Les périssodactyles sont des mammifères caractérisés par une réduction du nombre de métapodes (antérieurs et postérieurs) ainsi que par une mésaxonie (déplacement du poids du corps sur le métapode central) typique. Les métapodes sont donc porteurs d’une grande information écologique. Les muséums de Bâle et Paris possèdent des collections importantes de Rhinocerotidae (actuels et fossiles). Une étude basée sur l’acquisition, à partir d’un scanner surfacique, de modèles 3D de métapodes centraux de Diaceratherium (rhinocéros typiques de l’Oligocène terminal et du Miocène inférieur) et des espèces de rhinocéros actuels permettra de déterminer la présence ou non de signaux écologiques et phylogénétiques. Des landmarks devront être placés sur ces modèles 3D afin de comparer l’anatomie de ces métapodes et les replacer dans une étude de morphométrie géométrique. La distribution morphologique pourra alors être discutée en relation avec l’écologie et la phylogénie.
Le sujet comporte plusieurs phases :
- acquisition des modèles 3D de métapodes centraux aux muséums de Bâle (NMB) et Paris (MNHN)
- définition des landmarks et analyse de morphométrie géométrique
- étude de la distribution morphologique des métapodes des rhinocéros actuels et du genre Diaceratherium
NIVEAU
- Master
ENCADRANT
- PD Dr Damien Becker
- Dr Loïc Costeur (Bâle)
- Jérémy Tissier
A complete skeleton of bat preserved in the collections of La Maison du Parc du Luberon (Apt, France) remains unstudied. The study of this specimen will include a 3D model of the fossil skeleton based on X-ray tomography allowing to see the whole anatomy (one side of the bones being otherwise concealed in the sediment). The aim of this work is to (1) describe and identify this bat, (2) create a morphologic matrix to evaluate its phylogenetic relationships with other extant and fossil species, and (3) infer possible ecological particulaties from its anatomic adaptations.
Niveau
- Master
Encadrants
- Dr Olivier Maridet
- Dr Pauline Coster (Parc naturel régional du Luberon)
A beautifully preserved specimen of Glirulus aff. lissiensis from Saint-Bauzile (late Miocene, France), including soft tissue remains indicating the existence of a possible patagium between the anterior and posterior limbs has previously been publsihed and interpreted as a gliding rodent. This discovery is especially surprising because none of the extant species of Gliridae can glide. A new study of this specimen including now a 3D model of the fossil skeleton based on X-ray tomography allowing to see the whole anatomy (one side of the bones being otherwise concealed in the sediment). Additionally, further anatomic comparisons are now possible with other extant glirids (including now also a CT-scan of G. japonicus for more detailed comparisons) and other gliding rodents. The aims are (1) to confirm that the anatomic differences between G. aff. lissiensis and G. japonicus are indeed due to gliding adaptation and (2) to morphofunctionally characterize these adaptations in comparison to other gliding rodents.
Level
- Master
Supervisors
The aim of this project is to quantify and compare the biogeographic patterns of small and large herbivorous mammals in Europe during the Early Oligocene. This project involves the construction of a database of Oligocene European localities based on published faunal lists and its analysis using various biogeographic and statistic indices. The student will be included in the research project « Grande Coupure: Compared analysis of the evolutionary and diversité dynamics between small and large herbivores mammals » supported by the SNF and will work in collaboration with two PhD students.
level
- Master
supervisors
- Dr Olivier Maridet
- PD Dr Damien Becker
- Dr Loïc Costeur (Basel)
Hagneck au sud du lac de Bienne est un affleurement exceptionnel d’une ancienne rivière méandriforme dans la molasse d’eau douce inférieure (USM). L’étudiant(e) devra entièrement relever et décrire l’enregistrement sédimentologique de l’affleurement et collecter les microfossiles (charophytes, petits mammifères, ostracodes, etc.) dans le but de contraindre le modèle sédimentaire, le paléoenvironnement et l’âge de cette nouvelle localité de la molasse suisse.
Niveau
- Bachelor
Encadrants
- PD Dr Damien Becker
- Dr Claudius Pirkenseer (Fribourg)
The early Oligocene (MP 24) locality of Poillat (Canton Jura) yielded a large, near-complete tortoise shell. The candidate objectives will be to describe and identify this specimen and to compare it to other forms known in the European fossil record.
Level
- Bachelor
Supervisor
Egerkingen is a famous early Middle Eocene (MP14) fissure filling in the Canton Solothurn. Apart of well-studied large and small mammals fossils, the locality provides also so far unstudied and unknown fauna of reptiles. According to the preliminary results the fossil fauna includes lizards, several snake taxa, crocodiles and turtles. Within the project, the work will focus on identification of the fossil remains and comparison with faunas from the other localities of the same age. The project can be extended to master thesis including further middle Eocene localities such as Mormont, Entreroches etc.
Level
- Bachelor/Master
Supervisor
Academic internships
The JURASSICA Museum offers internships to Master and Bachelor students. With a duration from one to three months, those internships provide students with a first professional experience in research, collections management and/or museography. A support for accomodation and living costs is provided during the internship. Interested students can contact PD Dr Jérémy Anquetin in order to discuss current available internship positions at the Museum. PDF announcement
Currently available internship thematics
The JURASSICA Museum hosts an academic unit in geosciences, specialised in studying the regional fossil record. If possible and depending on the student's interests, internships are integrated into ongoing research projects of the team and may sometimes involve fieldwork.
The JURASSICA Museum is a Natural History Museum preserving rich zoological, botanical, geological and palaeontological collections, mostly documenting the regional natural heritage. Internships can either focus on the management, restauration or preparation of specimens.
In addition to permanent exibitions, the JURASSICA Museum develops up to two temporary exibitions per year together with various outreach activities for the public (guided tours, educational entertainment, praticals for schools). Internships in museography provide students with a first professional experience in museum activities by participating either to the creation of new temporary exhibitions or the development of new outreach activities.