PhD Scholarship in historic fishery and ecology in Denmark DTU Aqua

If you want to deepen our understanding of how fisheries have shaped the marine environment over timeand enjoy uncovering key information hidden in historical sourcesthis PhD project offers an exceptional opportunity to grow as a scientist within an international interdisciplinary team. At DTU Aqua you will work at the forefront of research on historical fisheries data conducting ecological and quantitatively focused studies of past commercial fisheries. Your work will examine both catch (species sizes quantities) and fishing effort (vessels gear activity) in Danish waters aiming to develop pioneering timeseries of catch per unit of effort (CPUE) and environmental footprints. The projects overarching goal is to reconstruct historical baselines for fish and fisheries by digitizing and harmonizing more than a century of landing and fleet data from diverse archival sources

Responsibilities
A central part of the PhD is to identify quantify digitize and harmonize information from historical fisheries statistics and technical descriptions found in books accounts and more recent publications. Although grounded in natural science the work is crossdisciplinary and will involve collaboration with historians museum professionals and other social-science researchers and experts as well as fishers. Another key component is integrating and analyzing highly heterogeneous data from these sources to produce standardized quantitative centurylong time series of CPUE and environmental footprints using methods that account for technological developments regulatory changes and other shifts over time.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Compile and harmonize historical data from multiple sources (fisheries statistics and technical descriptions in books accounts and periodicals).
• Engage with experts across disciplines institutions and countries to access interpret digitize standardize and analyze the information in these sources.
• Conduct statistical modeling of the compiled catch and effort data to produce century-long time series of CPUE and environmental footprints.
• Develop and apply methodology to account for technological development and regulatory bias in the time-series
• Interpret results in the context of fish stock dynamics human pressures marine conservation and fisheries management under shifting baselines.
• Teach and co-supervise students at different levels in courses and associated projects.
• Publish and disseminate findings in peer-reviewed journals and reputable conferences.

Qualifications and Experience
We are looking for a candidate with the following competences:

• Profound interest in fish fishing vessels and marine ecology in a historic context.
• Proficiency in quantitative data analyses and a solid grasp of statistical methods in R is considered highly advantageous.
• Excellent communication skills with proficiency in English and preferably one of the Scandinavian languages (Danish Swedish and Norwegian) to be able to read the old Danish fisheries statistics and technical descriptions and effectively engage with stakeholders citizens public and the scientific community.
• Experience with the peer-review publication process is an 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.

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 1^st of April 2026 (or at the earliest possible date thereafter). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Ole Ritzau Eigaard ().

Please do not send applications to the above e-mail addresses but follow the electronic application and submission procedure as explained below.

You can read more about Section for Ecosystem based Marine Management 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 10 March 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
• A short description of initial thoughts on the research (maximum 1-2 pages) outlining how you would address the tasks and objectives of the PhD project

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.

Objectives of our research section

The objective of DTU Aquas research into ecosystem based marine management is to develop knowledge and tools that can be used as the basis for advice on ecosystem based fisheries management taking overall goals as reflected in fisheries and environmental policy into account.

You can read more about our institute and section at DTU Aqua andEcosystem based Marine Management

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.