PhD Position in Fish Biology and Environmental Tolerance of Lumpsucker at DTU Aqua Technical University of Denmark in Denmark

A fully funded 3-year PhD position is available at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Aqua), within the newly established NOW-LUMP project funded by seabreak. The project focuses on the biology and environmental tolerance of the lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus), a species of significant cultural and ecological importance that has experienced severe population decline in Scandinavian waters. The successful candidate will join the Section for Marine Living Resources and become part of the Fish Biology research group, working in a dynamic and supportive environment.

The PhD project aims to generate fundamental knowledge on how environmental factors such as temperature and oxygen affect the performance and survival of lumpsucker, contributing to the understanding of their population decline and resilience to climate change. The research will directly inform management and conservation strategies for coastal fish species in the North Atlantic.

Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining experimental setups for holding and rearing lumpsucker under controlled laboratory conditions, conducting experiments on physiological and behavioural responses to varying oxygen and temperature, investigating growth rate and thermal experience through otolith analysis, and analysing data using R or similar statistical software. The candidate will also write manuscripts for publication, contribute to the broader goals of the NOW-LUMP project, attend conferences, participate in outreach activities with Danish public aquaria, and engage in fieldwork and collaborative research abroad.

The ideal candidate is highly motivated with a strong interest in fish physiology and ecological research. Applicants should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or equivalent, proven skills in statistical analysis (R preferred), and prior experience working with fish in an experimental context is advantageous. Strong scientific integrity and effective communication skills in English are required; Danish language skills are not necessary. The position is open to both national and international applicants, and DTU Aqua offers a highly international and inclusive working environment.

The PhD scholarship is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of DTU's general degree programmes. The appointment is full-time for 3 years, with salary and terms based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The preferred starting date is April 1st, 2026, or as agreed. DTU Aqua is located in Lyngby, near Copenhagen, offering access to state-of-the-art research facilities and Denmark’s only ocean- and arctic-going research vessel.

To apply, submit your complete online application by 15 February 2026, including a cover letter, CV, transcripts, diplomas, grading scale, and contact information for references, as a single PDF file in English. For further information, contact Senior Researcher Jane W. Behrens at [email protected]. Additional details about the Marine Living Resources section and the application process can be found on the DTU Aqua website.