DTU invites applications for a position as professor in fish population dynamics and vital rates. The professorship is affiliated with the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Section for Marine Living Resources. Workplace is in Kgs. Lyngby at the main campus of DTU, but with considerable activities at other locations of the Institute and international expert groups.
The professor is expected to take national and international leadership in exploring, describing and applying process knowledge to understand commercial fish population dynamics encompassing trends in their vital rates. This includes explanation of population dynamic and management relevant phenomena, such as abrupt changes in gross or mass-mortality, impact of species interactions, e.g. predation, competition, as well as behaviour and distribution at different spatial scales.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The professor is expected to lead the research area Fish Population Dynamics and Stock Assessment at DTU Aqua and to take an integrated approach including advanced observation technology and data post-processing as well as modelling and participation in international stock assessment activities. The research field and working area may, but does not need to include all following aspects:
- Implementation and advancement of methods for processing acoustic data to monitor fish distribution, movements and abundance on different spatial and temporal scales.
- Life history characterization and description of fitness optimization at individual and/or population level.
- Integration of survey- and laboratory data to gain a mechanistic understanding of commercial fish distribution and trophic interactions as processes being sensitivity to climate and biodiversity change.
- Quantify key population dynamic rates, e.g. growth and mortality based on research survey results and information from the commercial fisheries.
- Quantitative studies of climate change and other drivers of change impact on distribution and productivity of fish stocks utilising oceanographic monitoring data and physical oceanography/climate model output.
- Process implementation in existing fish stock assessments and ecosystem-based fisheries management methods with a focus on limiting the outcome space for population predictions.
The Professor is expected to work across different sections and research areas at DTU Aqua, the university and national and international collaboration partners. This includes international collaborations and commitment to the development of ecosystem-based fisheries management approaches with mechanistic knowledge on the processes governing population dynamics.
Required is a track record in research leadership, including strategic development, planning, funding, implementing as well as running interdisciplinary national and international research initiatives within the research field.
Results should be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and international conferences as well as dedicated outlets aiming to inform national, i.e. the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and international management authorities, e.g. the EU Commission. It includes contribution to international advisory work, e.g. by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) as well as communication to stakeholders.
The professor is expected to take a lead role in teaching at different university levels, specifically to engage within the MSc in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, taught at DTU’s campus in Hirtshals, and the BEng in Fisheries Technology, taught in Sisimiut, Greenland, but as well supervision of PhD candidates, training of Postdocs and mentoring tenure-track early career scientists.
DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time expected to master both as you will deliver scientific advice and teach in Danish over time.
You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:
- Research impact and experience, funding track record and research vision
- Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
- Documented experience and quality of teaching
- International impact and experience
- Societal impact
- Innovativeness, including collaboration with industry
- Communication skills
Salary and terms of employment
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.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from DTU Aqua’s Director Fritz Köster, email: fwk@aqua.dtu.dk, cell phone: +45 21362805, Vice-director Anders Koed, email: ak@aqua.dtu.dk, cell phone: +45 21685641 or Section head Carsten Hvingel, email: carhv@aqua.dtu.dk, cell phone: +45 93511196.
You can read more about DTU Aqua on https://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.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 June 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:
- Application (cover letter) addressed to the President
- Vision for teaching and research
- CV including employment history, list of publications indicating scientific highlights, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
- Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience
- Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)
You can learn more about the recruitment process here.
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.
Find out more information about this opportunity in this website.