The National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications from highly motivated international candidates for multiple fully funded 3-year PhD Scholarships in Marine Ecology, Arctic Food Webs, and Sustainable Fisheries Science for the 2026–2027 academic intake. DTU Aqua is one of Europe’s leading research institutes in aquatic ecosystems, oceanography, fisheries technology, and sustainable aquaculture.
Program Overview: Doctoral Research at DTU Aqua
DTU Aqua conducts multidisciplinary research aimed at understanding marine and freshwater ecosystem dynamics, predicting the effects of climate change on marine living resources, and developing low-impact fishing gears and recirculating aquaculture technologies. Selected PhD fellows are employed as full-time salaried researchers under the Danish collective agreement for academic staff and participate in sea-going oceanographic expeditions aboard the research vessel R/V Dana and coastal research vessels.
| Program Parameter | Scholarship Details |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark (Lyngby & Hirtshals Campuses) |
| Partner Institutions | Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR, Nuuk) & North Atlantic Marine Research Consortium |
| Appointment Duration | 3 Years (Full-time salaried doctoral employment) |
| Monthly Salary | Approx. DKK 29,000 – 35,000 / month (~€3,900 – €4,700/month gross) + pension contribution |
| Key Active Calls & Deadlines | • PhD in Fisheries Effects on Benthic Habitats: October 21, 2026 • PhD in Arctic Fjord Food Webs under Glacial Retreat: November 30, 2026 • PhD in Small-Scale Coastal Fishing Methods: Rolling Fall 2026 Review |
| Target Disciplines | Fisheries Science, Biological Oceanography, Marine Ecology, Trophic Modelling, Fishing Gear Technology |
Featured PhD Research Projects
1. PhD Scholarship in Arctic Fjord Food Webs under Glacial Retreat
- Research Focus: Investigating how accelerating glacial retreat alters meltwater plumes, nutrient upwelling, primary production, and the trophic structure and stability of Arctic fjord food webs.
- Methodology: Field sampling in Greenlandic fjords, compound-specific stable isotope analysis, fatty acid trophic markers, and ecosystem food-web modeling.
- Host Locations: Jointly hosted by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR) in Nuuk, Greenland (Years 1–2) and DTU Aqua in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark (Year 3).
- Application Deadline: November 30, 2026.
2. PhD Scholarship in Small-Scale Coastal Fishing Methods & Selectivity
- Research Focus: Evaluating catch efficiency, species/size selectivity, underwater fish behavior, and the ecological feasibility of low-impact multi-gear operations in small-scale coastal fisheries.
- Methodology: Flume tank testing at the North Sea Science Park, underwater video telemetry, and commercial sea trials.
- Host Location: Section for Fisheries Technology, DTU Aqua, Hirtshals, Denmark.
3. PhD Scholarship in Ecosystem-Based Management & Benthic Habitat Impacts
- Research Focus: Quantifying the effects of demersal fishing activities on sandy seabed macrobenthos, benthic-pelagic coupling, and fish prey availability to inform spatial fisheries management.
- Host Location: Section for Ecosystem-Based Marine Management, DTU Aqua, Lyngby, Denmark.
- Application Deadline: October 21, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a comparable degree (M.F.Sc. / M.Sc.) in Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Biological Oceanography, Aquatic Ecology, Quantitative Ecology, or Environmental Engineering.
- Strong quantitative skills in statistical analysis and ecological modeling (using R, Python, or MATLAB) are highly valued.
- Experience with marine fieldwork, research cruises, hydroacoustics, stable isotope ecology, or fishing gear technology is a distinct advantage.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. International candidates from all countries are eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the official Technical University of Denmark recruitment portal as a single PDF file containing a cover letter/motivation statement, Curriculum Vitae (CV), B.Sc. and M.Sc. diplomas with grade transcripts (converted to the Danish grading scale), and reference contacts.
Official DTU Aqua Vacancies Portal: DTU Aqua Official Vacant Positions Page
DTU Central Career Portal: Technical University of Denmark Career Portal