PhD Scholarship in Fisheries and Bycatch Mitigation

Are you looking for a career as a natural scientist with strong analytical skills, field work and an applied focus? This could be a position for you. A PhD Scholarship in the interactions between fisheries and endangered, threatened and protected species ETP species is available at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Denmark, with starting date October 1st, 2026. The project includes both field work and using mathematical and statistical models on marine resources. The scholarship is part of several national and EU projects financed by the EHFAF, LIFE and HORIZON program. The project will be carried out at DTU Aqua in the section for Ecosystem Based Management, situated in Lyngby.

Project background
Bycatch of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species remains one of the most pressing conservation challenges in marine ecosystems globally. Among these species, harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are particularly vulnerable due to their overlap with gillnet fishing activities. Static fishing gears, such as gillnets, are a primary source of incidental mortality for harbour porpoises in European waters. Despite existing mitigation efforts, bycatch levels in several regions remain unsustainably high relative to conservation targets. Addressing this issue requires innovative, spatially explicit approaches that balance ecological protection with viable fisheries. Recent advances in ecosystem-based fisheries management highlight the importance of integrating species distributions, fishing effort, and environmental variability. The DISPLACE (Dynamic Individual-based Spatial Planning and Effort Displacement) model provides a powerful tool for this purpose. DISPLACE simulates the spatial behavior of fishing fleets and their responses to management measures in a dynamic environment. By incorporating fine-scale data on fishing activities and species occurrence, it enables the evaluation of bycatch risk under different scenarios. This PhD project aims to leverage the DISPLACE model to assess and develop effective bycatch mitigation strategies for harbour porpoises. It will also consider fleet dynamics, economic drivers, and regulatory constraints influencing fisher behavior. A key objective is to evaluate spatial and temporal management options, such as area closures and gear modifications. The project will also examine the effectiveness of mitigation solutions, e.g. fish lights. Scenario analyses will explore trade-offs between conservation outcomes and socioeconomic impacts on fisheries. Stakeholder engagement will be incorporated to ensure realistic and implementable mitigation solutions. The research will contribute to improving compliance with regional conservation frameworks, including EU regulations. It will also support the achievement of Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Ultimately, the project aims to provide science-based recommendations for reducing harbour porpoise bycatch to advance sustainable and adaptive fisheries management.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your job will be to participate in larger national and EU-funded projects focusing on tests of mitigation solutions and considering bycatch in relation to fisheries impacts. You will explore, analyze, and publish studies on bycatch mitigation solutions and their impact on fisheries. Part of your work will be collecting and analyzing fields trials of porpoise behavioral studies and run scenarios of fisheries impact by use of DISPLACE. You will also be involved in teaching including supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.

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.

You should hold a M.Sc. degree in Biology, Aquatic Science & Technology or similar. It is also a prerequisite that you familiar with animal behavior and/or freshwater/marine ecology and have experience and keen interest in data science and statistical analyses (preferably using R).

Additionally, it would be an advantage if you have:

• Documented interest in fisheries interactions
• Strong analytical skills
• Experience with work in DISPLACE
• Experience with (or interest in) biological field work
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• The ability and experience of working in teams alone.

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.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Lotte Kindt-Larsen, Francois Bastardie, and Gildas Glemarec.

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 October 1st 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

The PhD student will be based at DTU Aqua in Lyngby, Denmark, and will be integrated in the Ecosystem Based Marine Management. A certain amount of field work and stays abroad can be expected.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from: Senior Researcher and Head of section, Lotte Kindt-Larsen, email: loki@dtu.dk or Senior Researcher Francois Bastardie fba@aqua.dtu.dk

You can read more about DTU Aqua here.

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 15 September 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

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.

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 Denmark’s only ocean- and arctic-going research vessel. The Institute has about 400 employees, one-half being scientific staff, including about 45 PhD students. About 40 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 Greenland. Learn more on aqua.dtu.dk

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.