PhD scholarship in amino acid optimization of fish feed - DTU Aqua

Is fish nutrition and aquaculture your future carrier? Do you want to contribute to making aquaculture more sustainable and reduce its environmental impact? Here is your chance. 

Responsibilities and qualifications

DTU Aqua offers a 3-year PhD position in fish nutrition. Your overall focus will be on dietary nutrient optimization including amino acid uptake and utilization aiming at optimizing diets and reducing discharge of nitrogen from aquaculture. You will be employed in the Section for Aquaculture located at DTU’s satellite campus in Hirtshals at the scenic west coast of Denmark. Here, you will gain scientific experience in nutrient uptake and utilization, digestive enzyme activity, and the coupling between plasma amino acid availability and protein synthesis. You will work with nearby colleagues, and with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark. Your primary research and tasks will be to:

• Assist in fish feed formulation and feed production
• Plan and complete in vivo studies with salmonids
• Conduct relevant laboratory analysis such as amino acid quantification by UPLC and enzyme assays 
• Assist in developing methods for quantifying indicators of protein synthesis in tissue samples using, e.g., Western Blotting and specific antibodies
• Complete required PhD school courses and external research stay
• Disseminate scientific results in peer-reviewed scientific articles
• Attend conferences to present your research and expand your academic network
• Contribute to daily routines and work tasks of the section 

You must have 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.

Desired traits and skills: 

• Curiosity and high motivation for aquaculture research
• Relevant background in nutrition and nutritional biochemistry
• Practical experience in performing live animal trials
• Accuracy and patience for laboratory work
• Experience with UPLC and Western Blotting
• Analytical skills and experience in statistical analysis
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently

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 DTU's rules for the PhD education

. 

Assessment

Assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior Research Scientist Anne Johanne Tang Dalsgaard, Postdoc Kylian Manon Eggink, and Head of Section Per Bovbjerg Pedersen. 

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.

Starting date is August 1st, 2024, or according to mutual agreement. The position is full-time.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Senior Research Scientist Anne Johanne Tang Dalsgaard, DTU Aqua, email: jtdaqua.dtu.dk

; www.aqua.dtu.dk/english/research/aquaculture

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark

. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar

” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 April 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file

containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out 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, one page

  )

• Curriculum vitae including a list of peer reviewed publications if any

• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

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

About DTU Aqua

DTU Aqua – National Institute of Aquatic Resources – works for well-functioning oceans, rivers, and lakes where biodiversity can thrive. Our research, advisory service, and education contribute to the development of a sustainable blue bioeconomy, robust aquatic ecosystems, and reduced effects of climate change. We have a large national and international network and cooperate with research partners, public authorities, industry, and NGOs. We have state-of-the-art research facilities and Denmark’s only ocean- and arctic-going research vessel. The Institute has 360 employees, one-half being scientific staff, including 45 PhD students. More than 35 nationalities are represented at the Institute, and we support an equal gender distribution. We are located in Lyngby, Hirtshals, Nykøbing Mors, and Silkeborg and have regular activities in Greenland. Learn more on www.aqua.dtu.dk

Technology for people

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 mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.