PhD scholarship in experimental ecophysiology and biology of lumpsucker DTU Aqua

A fully funded 3-year PhD position is available at DTU Aqua within the newly established projectNOW-LUMP funded by seabreak ( The project aims to build fundamental knowledge on the biology and environmental tolerance of the lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) a culturally and ecologically important species that has undergone a severe population decline in Scandinavian waters.

The successful candidate will join a supportive and dynamic research environment at DTU Aqua. Your PhD will be based in the Section for Marine Living Resources where you will be part of the Fish Biology research group. The PhD will be supervised by Senior Researcher Jane W. Behrens (fish ecophysiologist) and co-supervised by Researcher Ole Henriksen (fisheries biologist) and Professor Karin Hüssy (fish biologist).

The position is open to both national and international applicants.

Scientific context
Lumpsuckers are under significant pressure from the combined effects of fisheries and environmental change. The PhD project will generate new knowledge on how selected environmental factors drive performance and survival of lumpsucker helping to understand the mechanisms behind their population decline and resilience to climate change. The work will contribute directly to the management and conservation of coastal fish species in the North Atlantic.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The successful candidate will play a central role in establishing new experimental protocols for keeping and studying lumpsucker in laboratory facilities. You will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments to assess environmental (e.g. temperature and oxygen) tolerances and identify optimal conditions for the species ideally working with both juveniles and adults.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Developing and maintaining experimental setups for holding and rearing lumpsucker under controlled laboratory conditions including contributing to the day-to-day running of the lab
• Conducting experiments on physiological and behavioural responses of lumpsucker to varying oxygen and temperature conditions including e.g. metabolic rate (respirometry) and thermal preference and avoidance
• Investigating growth rate and thermal experience from analysis of otoliths
• Analysing data using R or similar statistical software.
• Writing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals and inclusion in your PhD thesis
• Contributing to the wider research goals of theNOW-LUMP project
• Attending conferences to present your research and expand your academic network
• Participating in outreach activities with Danish public aquaria
• Be involved in research abroad (e.g. field work and collaborative projects)

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated individual with a strong interest in fish physiology within an ecologically relevant context. You are expected to conduct rigorous experiments and data analyses participate in field samplings and analysis of collected data possess a strong scientific integrity and have the ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English. You are not expected to know or learn Danish (everyone at DTU speaks English). Prior experience working with fish in an experimental context is considered an asset and proven skills in statistical analysis are expected (R skills are a strong advantage).

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
Interviews for the PhD position will be held either online or in person at DTU Aqua (Henrik Dams Alle BuildingKgs. Lyngby Denmark). You will be notified whether you have been short-listed for an interview within approximately two weeks after the closing date for applications.

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.

Preferred starting date is April 1^st 2026 or after mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You will be based at DTU Aqua in Lyngby 16 km north of Denmarks capital Copenhagen. Copenhagen is a highly international city (basically everyone speaks English) with ample opportunities for cultural and recreational activities and Denmark has a very high standard of living.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Please do not hesitate to contact Jane W. Behrens with questions about the position or the project. Jane can be contacted informally by e-mail (jabeh@).

You can read more about the section Marine Living Resources 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 15 February 2026 (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
• Contact information (name affiliation e-mail and phone number) for at least one but ideally two people who have agreed to act as academic references for you and who can comment on your suitability for a PhD position
• Other material that you would like to include in the evaluation of your application

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 Nykøbing Mors and Silkeborg and have regular activities in more on

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 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 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.