Deadline: 16 Apr 2024

Published: 04 Mar 2024

Contact: Fritz Köster

DTU invites applications for a position as professor in Fish Nutritional Physiology and Bioenergetics. The position is affiliated with the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Section for Aquaculture and is based at the institute’s locality in Hirtshals at the North Sea Science Park.

The professor is expected to lead the research field of fish nutrition, physiology and welfare considering water quality characteristics in aquaculture systems, being a key area for the sustainable development of aquaculture.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Employment requires innovative research at high international level within fish nutritional physiology in aquaculture, and a track record in research leadership, including visionary strategic development, leading a multidisciplinary research group and planning, funding, implementing, as well as running interdisciplinary research projects.

Required is a track record in attracting external research funding, coordination of national and international initiatives within the research field and in contribution to teaching on BSc, MSc and PhD level.

Fish bioenergetics and growth performance in aquaculture systems is dependent on feed utilization and water quality, impacting on fish respiration, stress physiology and welfare. The professor is expected to lead the scientific/technical development in the research field, which requires cooperation with other units in the institute, the university as well as relevant national and international research organisations.

The research field and working area include the following aspects:

  • Bioenergetics of fish in aquaculture including nutrient and energy intake and utilization, as well as growth performance.
  • Impact of feed ingredients on fish nutrition and feed utilisation, with subjects like amino acid/protein digestibility, utilization and excretion, fatty acids, and enzyme activity in the digestive tract.
  • Impact of physical and chemical water characteristics on bioenergetics, metabolism, behaviour and welfare.
  • Dissolved gases in aquaculture, including methods and efficiency of aeration/degassing installations, and the significance of gas saturation levels on fish physiology and performance.
  • Physiological and welfare related consequences of farming conditions.
  • The applicant should have actively disseminated their research, e.g. via peer-reviewed publications and contributions to scientific symposia.

As part of the appointment, the professor will be involved in national advisory functions to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment as well as municipal authorities and industry. Advice concern mainly operational conditions in aquaculture systems, especially increasing animal physiological performance and welfare.

The professor is expected to contribute to teaching, specifically taking a lead in the aquaculture study line of the MSc in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, PhD supervision as well as mentoring of Post-docs and tenure-track early career scientists.

DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

  • Documented experience and quality of teaching and curriculum development
  • Research impact and experience, funding track record and research vision
  • International impact and experience
  • Societal impact
  • Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
  • Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills Communication skills
  • Salary and terms of employment

Application procedure:

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 16 April 2024 (23:59 Danish time), including:

  • Application (cover letter) addressed to the President
  • Vision for teaching and research
  • CV including employment history, list of publications indicating scientific highlights, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
  • Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)