Netherlands Institute for Ecological Research (NIOO-KNAW): Terrestrial ecology 

Netherlands Institute for Ecological Research (NIOO-KNAW): Terrestrial Ecology - How can a high species divers grassland resist different types of invasive plant species

Maartje van der Sloot, slootmaartje@gmail.com 
I joined in a project of a post-doc (Maddy Thakur) and I helped with his large experiment of over 800 pots to see how 3 types of invasive species would react when they were putted on soil conditioned by different species diversities (0-4 species) (I have some explanatory pictures about the experiment). So we wanted to know how species divers grasslands are more resilient to invasive species than less species rich grasslands. After conditioning the soil we grown the invasive species on it and analysed it chemically (moisture content and amount C, N and P) and biologically (amount of pathogens, worms, bacteria, fungi present). Later we correlated the success (root and shoot biomass) of the invasive species on the soil conditions there were given. During conditioning we also induced severe drought by half of the pots so we could also grow invasive species on previous dry soil to see if this had any effect on the invasiveness of the soil.

Learnt techniques 
In my first email to the head of the department (Wim van der Putten) I told him my interests and that I wanted to learn some more molecular lab skills before the end of my master. He coupled me to a very friendly post doc and technician who both allowed me to do a lot of this stuff which was great. Overall all the people of NIOO are very friendly and kind. It has a really good vibe for students and it has a very educative and fun time for me.

Tips 
Have a look outside of the Radboud/Nijmegen. This might be a little bit more convenient in your Master internship but I think that at NIOO they will also take you as a 10 week bachelor intern. You will have to sacrifice some travelling but I learned a lot in that half a year. Especially about this institute with a high academic level and how other institutes are working/communicating etc.