PhD scholarship in fish welfare in aquaculture - DTU Aqua
PhD scholarship in fish welfare in aquaculture - DTU Aqua
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Job Description
Do you care about fish welfare Do you want to make a difference for fish and put their wellbeing on focus for the aquaculture of the future DTU Aqua is seeking a motivated and qualified candidate to develop research and methodological tools to assess and to improve the welfare of farmed fish contributing to the sustainability of aquaculture practices in the EU. We offer a 3-year PhD position based in our campus in Hirtshals North Jutland.
You will develop research in our state-of-the-art facilities and in connection to real fish farming scenarios in Denmark directed to better understand welfare hazards and welfare consequences of different operational practices with fish on-farm during transport and at other tasks you will further develop and validate indicators and protocols for assessing fish welfare and resilience and will explore strategies to mitigate welfare risks and promote positive welfare outcomes in fish farming scenarios. You will work with nearby colleagues and with both academic and industrial partners.
You will be joining the Section for Aquaculture an international group of researcher and technicians performing multidisciplinary research using both fundamental and applied approaches directed to solve challenges and improve the sustainability of aquaculture from different angles.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop your own PhD plan outlining experimental trials.
- Design and conduct in vivo trials with salmonids.
- Collect biological samples and observational data from lab-based studies and at real fish farming scenarios.
- Analyze biological samples in the laboratory by different means (HPLC enzyme- and immune-based assays molecular analyses).
- Complete the 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 MSc students
- Contribute to the daily operations of the research group.
Desired qualifications and skills:
- A relevant background in aquatic biology animal physiology or a related field.
- Good skills for laboratory-based analytical tools.
- Practical experience working with live animals.
- Excellent skills for data handling and statistical analysis.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.
You must have a two-year masters degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year masters 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 DTUs rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior Researcher Manuel Gesto Rodriguez and Professor and 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 January 1st 2026 or according to mutual agreement. The position is full-time.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Manuel Gesto Rodriguez DTU Aqua e-mail:
can read more about DTU AQUA Section for Aquaculture at you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU Moving to you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar PhDrelocation 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 30 September 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)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
You may apply prior to obtaining your masters 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 Denmarks 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 Nykbing Mors and Silkeborg and have regular activities in more at
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 UNs 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian rsted 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 13500 students and 6000 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.
Employment Type
Student
