Are you passionate about marine fisheries ecology, animal behaviour and conservation? Do you want to contribute to one of the most exciting areas of movement ecology research? If so, we invite you to apply for a fully funded PhD scholarship with a start date of 1st March 2025 to study the return of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna to Scandinavian waters and investigate the drivers behind their movement patterns and behaviour across the Atlantic.
Project Overview
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus
, ABT) is one of the largest predatory teleosts existing in our oceans and is both ecologically, culturally and economically important. In the 1950s through early 2000s, the eastern ABT population underwent intense, unregulated fishing which resulted in their collapse and disappearance from the northeast Atlantic, specifically UK, Ireland and Scandinavia and widespread decline in the rest of the distribution area. In response, the International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas implemented fisheries management regulations, which allowed ABT numbers to rebound and return to the region. Due to their absence in Scandinavia very little is known about their movement ecology there, despite being a relatively well-studied oceanic species. Their resurgence presents a unique opportunity to address knowledge gaps, which is essential for proper management and conservation of the species moving forward. We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced candidate to use telemetry techniques to do research in movement and behaviour of ABTs tagged in Scandinavian waters, as well as the implications of this on marine spatial protection strategies, environmental policy and fisheries management.
Research methodology
Highly migratory marine species such as ABTs are particularly challenging to study and manage, given they regularly cross several jurisdictions and ecosystems and have a long life span. Recent technological developments however, namely satellite telemetry and other biotelemetry techniques, have revolutionised their study. Historically ABTs were researched using fisheries-dependent methods across the Atlantic, which presents bias and uncertainty in our knowledge of their movements and behaviour. Now, for the past two decades, researchers have started to employ telemetry methods to elucidate ABT migration and inform improved management. More recently, ABT individuals who now regularly visit Scandinavian waters have been tagged with satellite tags via the Scandinavian Bluefin Marathon (SBM) project, which is a collaboration between researchers and recreational anglers to catch, sample, tag and release individuals in Skagerrak and Øresund during the late summer and autumn months of the eastern ABT’s migration. The SBM project started in 2017 and has enabled the creation of a growing database of tracks and associated archival data from Pop-off Satellite Archival Transmitter (PSAT) tags.
This PhD project will involve the use of existing data from this database, as well as continued contribution to this database, in order to address the following questions:
- When do ABTs tagged in Scandinavia arrive and leave the northeastern Atlantic and how do they utilise their three-dimensional environment along their migration route?
- How does the behaviour of ABT relate to their oceanographic and biological environment?
- How do the findings of the questions above relate to the ecology and exploitation of individuals tagged and studied elsewhere?
- What implications does this have for future marine spatial protection strategies, environmental policy and fisheries management, also in light of climate change?
Responsibilities and qualifications
We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong background in marine movement ecology and oceanography. The successful candidate will be required to collect, process, analyse, interpret and present data obtained from satellite tracking and biologging devices deployed on ABT, therefore strong programming skills (e.g. R, Python) and experience handling and analysing large telemetry datasets are essential. They will also be required to develop models to quantify the relationship between behaviour and movement, oceanography and biological productivity through space and time, which will involve sourcing of other types of data from databases such as Copernicus.
It is expected the successful candidate participate in fieldwork at sea related to ABT. Therefore, experience working aboard research vessels, handling and tagging fish, and the accompanying long work hours is an advantage. The successful candidate will also be expected be able to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists both internally and externally, have excellent time management and communication skills, and well as develop peer reviewed and other publications.
Eligibility
- A master’s degree (120 ECTS) in biology, marine biology, oceanography or a related field.
- A demonstrated, keen interest in marine movement ecology, fisheries and conservation
- Strong programming skills (R and QGIS desirable) including statistical analysis and GIS
- Demonstrated, strong analytical and research skills
- Experience handling, analysing and presenting large telemetry datasets
- Interest in translating science into action (marine spatial protection and environmental policy frameworks)
- Experience sampling, handling and tagging fish at sea is desirable
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Effective communication and organisational skills
- Comfortable with travelling, meeting and working with a variety of people from different backgrounds
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
.
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 April 1st 2025 or as soon as possible.
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 Henrik Baktoft (hba@aqua.dtu.dk) and Kim Aarestrup (kaa@aqua.dtu.dk
).
The position is based at the Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology at DTU Aqua facilities in Silkeborg, Denmark.
You can read more about DTU Aqua – National Institute of Aquatic Resources at https://www.aqua.dtu.dk/english/
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 27 February 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 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.
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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Silkeborg Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
DTU Aqua AFDELING FOR FERSKVANDSFISKERI, Vejlsøvej, 8600 Silkeborg
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 27-02-2025;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/f11a42ad-818c-45a4-8106-981d0350f40e
