PhD Scholarship in Experimental Ecophysiology and Biology of Lumpsucker (DTU Aqua)

Job title

PhD Scholarship in Experimental Ecophysiology and Biology of Lumpsucker.

Company

DTU Aqua - National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark.

Description of the job

DTU Aqua is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD position within the newly established project NOW-LUMP, funded by Seabreak. The project aims to build fundamental knowledge on the biology and environmental tolerance of the lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) — a culturally and ecologically important species that has undergone a severe population decline in Scandinavian waters.

The successful candidate will join a supportive and dynamic research environment at DTU Aqua. The PhD will be based in the Section for Marine Living Resources as part of the Fish Biology research group. The PhD will be supervised by Senior Researcher Jane W. Behrens (fish ecophysiologist) and co-supervised by Researcher Ole Henriksen (fisheries biologist) and Professor Karin Hüssy (fish biologist).

The project is a collaboration between DTU Aqua and Denmark's aquariums: Kattegatcentret, Nordsøen Oceanarium, Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium Denmark), and Øresundsakvariet.

Scientific Context:

Lumpsuckers are under significant pressure from the combined effects of fisheries and environmental change. The PhD project will generate new knowledge on how selected environmental factors drive performance and survival of lumpsucker, helping to understand the mechanisms behind their population decline and resilience to climate change. The work will contribute directly to the management and conservation of coastal fish species in the North Atlantic.

Main Responsibilities:

• Developing and maintaining experimental setups for holding and rearing lumpsucker under controlled laboratory conditions, including contributing to the day-to-day running of the lab.
• Conducting experiments on physiological and behavioural responses of lumpsucker to varying oxygen and temperature conditions, including metabolic rate (respirometry) and thermal preference and avoidance.
• Investigating growth rate and thermal experience from analysis of otoliths.
• Analysing data using R or similar statistical software.
• Writing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals and inclusion in the PhD thesis.
• Contributing to the wider research goals of the NOW-LUMP project.
• Attending conferences to present research and expand academic network.
• Participating in outreach activities with Danish public aquaria.
• Being involved in research abroad (e.g. fieldwork and collaborative projects).

Preferred starting date is April 1st, 2026 or after mutual agreement. The position is full-time for 3 years. The position is open to both national and international applicants. Candidates are not expected to know or learn Danish (everyone at DTU speaks English).

Requirements

• 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.
• Strong interest in fish physiology within an ecologically relevant context.
• Ability to conduct rigorous experiments and data analyses.
• Proven skills in statistical analysis (R skills are a strong advantage).
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
• Strong scientific integrity.
• Prior experience working with fish in an experimental context is considered an asset.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby (Copenhagen area), Denmark.

Salary

Not specified. 

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online as one PDF file containing: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale, contact information for at least one (ideally two) academic references, and any other relevant material. Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. For questions about the position, contact Jane W. Behrens at jabeh@aqua.dtu.dk.

Deadline

15/02/2026.

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