A PhD Scholarship in Marine Survival of Sea Trout is available at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) with starting date October 2010.
The project will be carried out in the Section for Freshwater Fisheries Ecology in Silkeborg.
DTU Aqua is an institute at the Technical University of Denmark. The purpose of DTU Aqua is to provide research, advice and education at the highest international level within the sustainable exploitation of living marine and freshwater resources, the biology of aquatic organisms and the development of ecosystems as well as their integration in ecosystem-based management. The institute has an international research staff comprising approx. 90 academic employees.
Project description
A considerable part of the sea trout (Salmo trutta) lifecycle takes place in the marine environment. Basic knowledge on survival and behaviour is relatively well documented in the freshwater phase. Equivalent knowledge in the marine phase is, however, very poorly documented. A significant contributing factor has been methodological problems in addressing this phase.
Recent state of the art development within the field of telemetry has, however, now made it possible to study sea trout behaviour in the marine phase more thoroughly, principally by electronic tagging such as passive integrated tags (PIT), acoustic tags and data storage tags (DST).
By tagging with PIT tags and simple acoustic tags it is possible to monitor when the fish passes a given location. Typically this will be at the outlet of a stream or fjord where the conditions are suitable for setting up the various systems. Concurrently, other tag types, such as DST tags and acoustic oxygen transmitters open the possibility to register information on the surrounding environment of the fish of hitherto unseen resolution.
The present project aims to expand our knowledge base on sea trout behaviour and survival in the marine environment. In addition the project has the potential to provide detailed information on a number of other important life history events, such as timing of upstream and downstream movement migration, run timing of maiden vs repeat spawners, potential correlation between run timing of smolt phase and adult phase etc.
Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate who has:
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, in Aquatic Sciences
- Previous experience in aquatic research
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Keen interest in research and for working within the field of aquatic sciences
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 the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.
Further information
For further information about the project contact Senior Research Scientist Kim Aarestrup, (+45) 3588 3142 or Senior Research Scientist Anders Koed, (+45) 3588 3146.
General information may be obtained from Helge Abildhauge Thomsen, (+45) 3588 3020 or Nina Qvistgaard, (+45) 3588 3090.
Application
We must have your online application by 13 September 2010. Please open the link "apply for this job online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and information about academic grades. Applications must include a curriculum vitae and documentation of a completed master's degree including grades. Furthermore, the application must include a vision for the PhD study and for this project in particular.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
