The capture of fish in towed gears can cause stress, lead to exhaustion and inflict physical damage through abrasion and contact with the netting and catch. As a result, the ability of fish to make escape attempts may be impaired and the quality of the landed catch may be diminished. In this PhD the causal relationship between sea state, vessel motion, fishing gear dynamics and how they may affect fish vitality, fish injuries and fish quality will be explored. The insights gained will be used to develop and test towed demersal fishing gears that will mitigate negative effects, be more selective and have improved catch quality.
Possible approaches will investigate ways to dampen the fishing gear dynamics and/or to establish flow reduction zones in the trawl gear. Experimental trials will be carried out on commercial fishing vessels, at the North Sea Center Flume Tank and on the DTU research vessel Havfisken. The specific content of the project will be formulated in cooperation with the successful candidate, reflecting their qualifications and the ongoing research activities of the Section. It is expected that the results of the PhD will help increase the environmental sustainability of fisheries and improve their economic viability.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and carry out data collection from sea trials and flume tank experiments to evaluate gear performance.
- Apply the most effective and up-to-date data analysis methods to study how gear dynamics influence catch quality.
- Collaborate with commercial fishers, gear manufacturers, and research teams to implement and refine gear innovations.
- Produce high quality scientific and technical manuscripts that are suitable for publications in specialized peer-reviewed journals
- Translate research findings into practical recommendations and contribute to the development of sustainable fishing practices.
Qualifications and Requirements
- A master’s degree (or equivalent) in Marine Biology, Fisheries Science or Engineering, or a related field.
- Committed to bridging scientific research with real-world applications through active stakeholder engagement
- Curiosity and willingness to learn across disciplines
- Ability to work both independently and in an interdisciplinary and international team.
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken).
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.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Barry O’Neill, Esther Savina and Jordan Feekings.
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.
The 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.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Barry O’Neill email: barone@aqua.dtu.dk.
You can read more about DTU Aqua at 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. 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 6 August 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) including a one-page proposal on how the project could be conducted
- 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.
Find out more information about this opportunity here.