PhD Scholarship in Decision Tools and Management in the Fish Sector

A PhD Scholarship in Decision Tools and Management in the Fish Sector is available at the Technical University of Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) with expected starting date 15^th September 2020. The scholarship is financed by the EU H2020 project WaSeaBi. The project work will primarily be carried out at the Section for Ecosystem-based Marine Management, which is located in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.

Project description
The WaSeaBi (Optimal utilization of seafood side-stream through the design of new holistic process lines) is a European project under the framework of Horizon 2020 with focus on solving the barriers to sound exploitation of the aquatic resources. The associated PhD Project will focus on the optimal utilization of seafood side-stream. This will be facilitated through development of storage solutions, sorting technologies and decision tools to secure an efficient, sustainable supply system for by-catches and side-stream from aquaculture, fisheries and the aquatic processing industries. One of the solutions is to develop tools for supporting decisions for valorization of side-streams and to test these decision tools in at least 2 companies. This is done by developing an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) which is a structured technique for organizing and analyzing complex decisions, based on mathematics and psychology. AHP methodology allows decisions about optimum fish side-streams valorization alternatives.  The project will explore the sociology and phycology elements of the AHD methodology, which are rarely studied or accounted for in decision-making models.

The aim of this PhD will focus on observing and studying the internal interactions between the relevant decision makers in organization and the external interaction with the market.

By expanding decision making tools and techniques with the insights gained from the dual process study the phd student should create new support tools to ensure a more unbiased approached in the organization.

Qualifications
The candidate must hold:

• Relevant Master in either Science or Humanities with special emphasis on Decision Tools and Management
• Experience in the scientific field of psychological decision-making, both theoretical and practical
• Experience in Analytic Hierarchy Process methodology

Assessment
In the assessment, particular focus will be given to

• Interest in combining and further development of the decision-making studies to mathematical analysis
• Experience with working in the seafood sector, both on the organizing level and at the market level
• Interest in studying the interaction between the different levels in the seafood industry
• Experience with working in research projects in the seafood sector and the ability to work with different sectors from pelagic fish to aquaculture
• Experience in communicating the scientific results to both the academic and as well the general public
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

Approval and Enrolment
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 our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
For further information about the project, please contact Senior Scientist Erling Larsen (epl@aqua.dtu.dk) or Professor J. Rasmus Nielsen (rn@aqua.dtu.dk)

Application
Please submit your online application no later than 25 August 2020 (23:59 local time).

Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
• Brief research proposal (1-2 pages) presenting ideas on how to address the research topics given in the short description of the PhD project above.

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The research of the Section for Ecosystem-based Marine Management aims to develop knowledge and tools that can be used as the basis for advice on ecosystem based fisheries management taking overall environmental goals as reflected in environmental policy into account. The research spectrum of the section involves four main themes covering i) Development of fisheries management evaluation methods,   and advice on spatial fisheries management measures; ii) Quantitative analyses of indicators and indicator thresholds in relation to the definition of good environmental status under the EU Marine Strategy Directive; iii) Development of methods to minimize unwanted by-catch of e.g. mammals and implementation of alternative fishing gear to minimize negative interactions between marine mammals and fisheries; and iv) Assessment of the effects of interactions with predator and prey fish stocks.         

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 dynamics of ecosystems as well as their integration in ecosystem-based management. DTU Aqua has 260 employees, of whom a third are scientific staff. The other employees are assistant biologists, laboratory technicians, IT employees, administrative staff, ship’s crew, student assistants etc. The institute is organized into eight scientific sections which carry out the research, educational and advisory activities. In addition, the institute has a number of scientific and administrative support functions, including the research vessel DANA. DTU Aqua has employees in Lyngby, Silkeborg, Nykøbing Mors and Hirtshals as well as on Dana. You can read more about DTU Aqua on www.aqua.dtu.dk

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DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 11,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. Our main campus is in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen and we have campuses in Roskilde and Ballerup and in Sisimiut in Greenland