A PhD Scholarship in fisheries and fish habitat use near various reef types, and an offshore windfarm, is available at the Technical University of Denmark. The scholarship will give you scientific expertise in marine biology and fisheries, including underwater camera use for biodiversity assessments, coastal protection, and nature-based solutions. The expected starting date for the PhD Scholarship is 1st July 2025. The PhD scholarship will be carried out at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) in Silkeborg in Denmark.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The goal of the PhD project is to provide an understanding of the role that seabed structures are playing for fish abundance and marine biodiversity. Of particular interest is the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua
), a culturally and economically important fish species. The relevant seabed structures are all human-made and include boulder reefs, concrete reefs, and an offshore windfarm. All seabed structures are available in the Western Baltic Sea.
The PhD Scholarship includes before-after control-impact (BACI) studies as well as underwater footage to determine fish abundance (MaxN) and biodiversity of mobile fauna (e.g. shore crab). Footage will be collected using various underwater cameras deployed near the seabed. The sampling methodology is considered non-invasive because no fish is harmed, and the sampling infers almost no footprint on the seabed. Boulder reefs and concrete reefs will be deployed during the spring 2025 and surveyed afterwards. Pre-reef data were collected in 2023 and are also available for your project. Both reef types, and suitable control areas, are available in replicates. The effects of the offshore wind farm will be assessed using the individual windmill foundations, compared with suitable control areas. The research will build upon previous studies, published by our research group (Glarou et al., 2020; Wilms et al., 2021; Flavio et al., 2023; Casabona et al., 2024).
Tasks associated with the PhD studies include:
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. The degree could be in aquatic science, biology, physics, math, engineering, or similar. You are expected to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. Analytical skills and experience with statistical tools (e.g. in R, MatLab, or Python) are expected. The team at DTU Aqua is highly international and knowing the Danish language is not needed. You must be available for boat-based fieldwork in the Western Baltic Sea, lasting a few months in 2025 and 2026.
Assessment
The candidate should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. The degree could be in aquatic science, biology, physics, math, engineering, or similar. The candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. Analytical skills and experience with statistical tools (e.g. in R, MatLab, or Python) are expected. The team at DTU Aqua is highly international and knowing the Danish language is not needed. The candidate must be available for boat-based fieldwork in the Western Baltic Sea lasting a couple of months in 2025 and 2026.
Candidate assessments will consider possible experience in:
Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not have experience in all the listed topics.
Assessments will be made by senior scientist Jon C. Svendsen and Professor Anders Koed.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education
.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for excellent research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
Additional information may be obtained from senior scientist Jon C. Svendsen at DTU Aqua. Phone: 00 45 93 51 16 63; Email: jos@aqua.dtu.dk
; Part of the pre-reef fieldwork (2023) is described here
and here
.
You can read more about DTU Aqua at https://www.aqua.dtu.dk/ and access previous studies here .
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 24 May 2025 (23:59 Danish time)
.
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received the final degree.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
The PhD Scholarship will be carried out at the Section for Freshwater Fisheries Ecology at DTU Aqua, which aims to develop aquatic knowledge and tools for sustainable aquatic management, including environmental policies such as the Habitat Directive, the Water Framework Directive, and the UN sustainable development goals. The section covers various types of fisheries (e.g., recreational fisheries) and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders. The purpose of DTU Aqua is to provide research, advice and education at the highest international level covering sustainable exploitation of living marine and freshwater resources, the biology of aquatic organisms and the dynamics of ecosystems as well as their integration in ecosystem-based management. DTU Aqua has 260 employees, of whom a third is scientific staff. The remaining employees are assistant biologists, laboratory technicians, IT employees, administrative staff, ship crew, and student assistants. DTU Aqua is organized into eight scientific sections, which carry out the research, educational and advisory activities.
References:
Casabona, E., Wilms, T., Moltesen, M., Bertelsen, J.L., Kruse, B.M., Flávio, H., Holloway, P. and Svendsen, J.C., 2024. Cobble reef restoration in the Baltic Sea: Implications for life below water. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 34(8), p.e4216.
Flávio, H., Seitz, R., Eggleston, D., Svendsen, J.C. and Støttrup, J., 2023. Hard-bottom habitats support commercially important fish species: a systematic review for the North Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. PeerJ, 11, p.e14681.
Glarou, M., Zrust, M. and Svendsen, J.C., 2020. Using artificial-reef knowledge to enhance the ecological function of offshore wind turbine foundations: Implications for fish abundance and diversity. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8(5), p.332.
Wilms, T. J., Norðfoss, P. H., Baktoft, H., Støttrup, J. G., Kruse, B. M., & Svendsen, J. C. (2021). Restoring marine ecosystems: Spatial reef configuration triggers taxon‐specific responses among early colonizers. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58(12), 2936-2950.
About DTU Aqua
DTU Aqua – National Institute of Aquatic Resources – works for well-functioning oceans, rivers, and lakes where biodiversity can thrive. Our research, advisory service, and education contribute to the development of a sustainable blue bioeconomy, robust aquatic ecosystems, and reduced effects of climate change. We have a large national and international network and cooperate with research partners, public authorities, industry, and NGOs. We have state-of-the-art research facilities and Denmark’s only ocean- and arctic-going research vessel. The Institute has 360 employees, one-half being scientific staff, including about 50 PhD students. More than 35 nationalities are represented at the Institute, and we support an equal gender distribution. We are located in Lyngby, Hirtshals, Nykøbing Mors, and Silkeborg and have regular activities in Greenland. Learn more on aqua.dtu.dk
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.