PhD scholarship in physical processes affecting stock dynamics of blue whiting – Deadline 31 January 2022

A 3-year PhD fellowship in fisheries oceanography is offered by the National Institute for Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) at the Technical University of Denmark in the section for Oceans and Arctic. The successful candidate will investigate and quantify links between atmosphere-ocean variability in the northeast Atlantic, and the stock dynamics of the ecologically and commercially important fish species, blue whiting. 

Project description

The overall aim of the project will be to improve our understanding of physical processes affecting recruitment and distribution of this species.  Focus will be on establishing links between ocean-climate processes (e. g., roles of air-sea interaction, subpolar gyre dynamics, regional circulation, hydrographic and bathymetry) and the early life history of the species, as well as identifying ways to use this new knowledge for improving stock assessments and fishery-related forecasts for this species.

Blue whiting plays a major role in the northeast Atlantic food web, because it is an important prey for many higher trophic level species, including charismatic animals such as whales, dolphins and seabirds. Blue whiting is also an important predator of zooplankton and competes with other zoo-planktivores (e. g., herring) for food, both in the open ocean and along the margin of shelf ecosystems. Knowledge of factors affecting blue whiting abundance and distribution are essential for ensuring sustainable foodwebs, ecosystems and both pelagic and demersal fisheries in the region.  Your results will contribute to new ecosystem-based approaches to management of this species and to UN Sustainability Development Goals related to Life Below Water (UN SDG 14).

The project is a research cooperation between DTU Aqua and the Faroe Marine Research Institute (FAMRI), and it is part of a larger programme of ocean-climate research in the Faroe-Greenland area supported by the Research Council of the Faroe Islands https://www.gransking.fo/en/funding-programmes/marine-research-in-the-north-atlantic-ocean/. There will be excellent opportunities for networking, synergies and collaboration with other projects running in the program, including with other early-career scientists (e. g., Ph.d. students).  This Ph.d. project will be supervised by experts from both DTU Aqua and FAMRI. You will be expected to be based for an extended period of time at FAMRI to facilitate scientific collaboration and extend your professional network.

Responsibilities and qualifications

You will be responsible for compiling, analysing, interpreting and presenting oceanographic, atmospheric and fisheries data. The project involves time series analyses, handling of spatio-temporaldatasets and utilization of output from general circulation models, using e. g. particle-trackingl approaches. The project integrates physical oceanography and fisheries ecology/oceanography and will expand our understanding of how climate variability affects blue whiting population dynamics and fisheries. 

As the ideal candidate, you will either be a quantitative marine ecologist/fisheries scientist with ability and interest in learning and applying physical oceanographic process knowledge in fish population models, or a physical oceanographer with an interest in applying and integrating knowledge of atmosphere-ocean dynamics in the north Atlantic with fish population dynamics. 

You should have several or all of the following skills:

• Background knowledge and experience in some or all of the following: recruitment processes, fish population dynamics, the physical oceanography and climate of the north Atlantic (especially the Greenland-Scotland ridge region)
• Experience and proficiency in handling and analysing large data sets, including from physical oceanographic models, and preferably using Matlab and R
• Flexibility concerning research stays abroad, especially in the Faroe Islands
• Good communication skills in English, both written and orally
• Ability to conduct research independently and problem solving skills
• Strong interest in participating in an inter-disciplinary and international research environment
• Willingness to contribute to a positive and inspirational work atmosphere

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 the DTU’s rules for the PhD education.

The preferred starting date will be June 1, 2022.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Prof Brian MacKenzie (brm@aqua.dtu.dk) or senior research scientist Jan Arge Jacobsen (janarge@hav.fo). 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 15 February 2022 (Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, 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 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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.