Are you passionate about fish nutrition and eager to contribute to sustainable aquaculture? If so, DTU Aqua has an exciting opportunity for you. We offer a three-year PhD fellowship focusing on optimizing the use of plant-based ingredients in fish feed.

In this role, you will investigate multiple antinutritional factors (ANFs) that may negatively affect fish performance, nutrient utilization, and gut health. You will also explore strategies to mitigate their potential effects, including ingredient pre-treatments. While your primary focus will be on improving the use of faba beans as a protein source, your research may extend to other plant-based ingredients.

Your overall focus will be to strengthen the section's competencies regarding antinutrients in plant-based fish feed ingredients and their effects on fish feed utilization. You will work with nearby colleagues, and with both academic and industrial partners. 

Key responsibilities include

• Develop a PhD plan outlining experimental trials.
• Analyze the nutritional profile, including ANFs of plant-based feed ingredients using, e.g., UPLC, enzyme assays, and LC-MS, and process the results.
• Contribute to fish feed formulation and production using a pilot-scale extruder.
• Design and conduct in vivo trials with salmonids.
• Analyze and interpret the effects of ANFs on fish performance, nutrient utilization, and gut health by applying, e.g., histological analysis and biochemical assays.
• Complete required PhD school courses and conduct an external research stay.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present your findings at international conferences.
• Contribute to teaching and supervision of Master students
• Contribute to the daily operations of the research group.

Desired traits and skills

• A relevant background in nutrition, biotechnology, or a related field.
• Accuracy and patience for laboratory analysis.
• Interest in plant ingredients and their biochemistry.
• Practical experience in performing live fish/animal trials.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently

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.

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 . 

Assessment
Assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior Research Scientist Anne Johanne Tang Dalsgaard, Postdoc Kylian Manon Eggink, and Professor, Head of Section Per Bovbjerg Pedersen. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its 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.

Starting date is September 1st, 2025, or according to mutual agreement. The position is full-time.

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:
Further information may be obtained from Senior Research Scientist Anne Johanne Tang Dalsgaard, DTU Aqua, email: jtd@aqua.dtu.dk  

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 1 June 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 now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter, one page)
• Curriculum vitae including a list of potential publications
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

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.

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 at 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.