PhD scholarship in fish habitat use in relation to coastal fisheries management

A PhD Scholarship in coastal fish habitat use is available at the Technical University of Denmark. The scholarship will give you scientific expertise in marine biology and fisheries, including tracking of individual fish as well as coastal reef restoration and marine protected area planning. The expected starting date for the PhD Scholarship is 1 March 2022. The PhD scholarship will be carried out at the Section of Coastal Ecology at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), situated in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen in Denmark. Field work will be carried out at Fyn, Jylland and elsewhere in Denmark.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The goal of the PhD project is to provide an understanding of the role that coastal reefs and marine protected areas are playing for anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta ) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua ), respectively. The species are threatened by several factors, including loss of suitable habitat, predation of juveniles by cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo ) and commercial fishing.

The PhD Scholarship includes capture and tagging of brown trout in a river (Storå at Fyn) and Atlantic cod in a coastal area to estimate time spent and map movements of the fish near a coastal reef and in a marine protected area. Fish for tagging will be captured using various netting methods, and tagged fish will be released immediately. Fish movements will be mapped using acoustic telemetry in coastal areas. The acoustic telemetry involves hydrophone arrays deployed across both the coastal reef and the marine protected area, possibly including calculation of accurate 2D positions. Fish tracking will be carried out over sequential years. Project findings will be used for management of coastal areas, including deployments of reefs and establishment of marine protected areas to support fish populations and recreational and commercial fishing.

The PhD student is expected to:

• Complete fieldwork during different seasons, including harsh conditions (e.g. winter).
• Compile and analyze large data sets resulting from the fieldwork.
• Report project findings in peer-reviewed articles and popular science articles (e.g. https://www.fiskepleje.dk/nyheder ). 
• Complete various PhD school courses to build expertise.
• Co-supervise BSc and MSc students involved in various projects.

Candidates 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, 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 candidate must be available for fieldwork lasting many sequential weeks with odd working hours.

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
Candidate assessments will consider experience in:

• Fieldwork including freshwater and marine areas.
• Work in research teams (e.g. during previous employment as a research assistant).
• Fisheries management.
• Statistical analyses and modelling.
• Dissemination of scientific results to academic groups and the public (e.g. posters and talks).
• Communication with local stakeholders (e.g. commercial and recreational fishers).
• Collaboration with municipalities and fisheries organizations.
• Publishing results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and popular science journals.
• Design of coastal reefs and marine protected areas.

The quality of a brief research proposal (see below) will also play an important role in the assessment. Assessments will be made by Senior Researcher Jon C. Svendsen, Researcher Martin Lykke Kristensen, Researcher Elliot John Brown, Head of Section Prof. Jens Kjerulf Petersen and Deputy Director Prof. Anders Koed.

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.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Additional information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Jon C. Svendsen at DTU Aqua. Phone: 00 45 22 81 65 45; Email: [email protected] ; Twitter: https://twitter.com/joncsvendsen?lang=en  

You can read more about DTU Aqua athttps://www.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 .

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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma, including official description of grading scale
• Brief research proposal (1-2 pages) outlining ideas in terms of addressing the research topics provided in the short description of the PhD project above. Candidates are encouraged to include relevant references to support their research proposal.

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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply

The PhD Scholarship will be carried out at the Section of Coastal Ecology at DTU Aqua, which aims to develop knowledge and tools for sustainable utilization of coastal resources and management of coastal areas, including environmental policies such as the Habitat Directive, the Water Framework Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the UN sustainable development goals. The section covers both recreational and commercial fisheries and collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders. The purpose of DTU Aquis to conduct research, provide advice, educate at university level and contribute to innovation in sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic resources. The Institute investigates the biology and population ecology of aquatic organisms, aquatic physical and chemical processes and ecosystem structure and dynamics, taking account of all relevant natural and anthropogenic drivers.

DTU Aqua has 325 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 10 scientific sections, which carry out the research, educational and advisory activities.

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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 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.