A PhD Scholarship in Welfare in farmed Rainbow Trout, social and environmental preferences is available at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) with starting date March 2010.
The project will be carried out in the Section for Aquaculture which is situated in Hirtshals.

DTU Aqua is an institute at the Technical University of Denmark. 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 development of ecosystems as well as their integration in ecosystem-based management. The institute has an international research staff comprising approx. 90 academic employees.

Project description
In the aquaculture industry, fish are exposed to a variety of unfavorable conditions which can cause stress and potentially decrease welfare. Ultimately, this may negatively impact production efficiency. Not only this, the increasing public concern for the welfare of fish from aquaculture, also highlights the importance of carrying out studies to enhance our understanding and develop methods to improve rearing conditions for cultured fish.   

The aim of the PhD project is to investigate the behavioural and environmental needs of rainbow trout in culture conditions. This will be achieved through the use of preference testing, based on the theoretical concept of “ideal free distribution”, by allowing the fish the freedom to choose environments that are most suitable.

The experimental work of the PhD project will involve studying the preferences of the fish for varying stocking densities, water current, and cover, as previous evidence has suggested that these factors may have an effect on welfare. The physiological responses involved in the stress response will be used as indicators to asses the welfare status of the fish during preference testing.

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate who has:

• Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, in Aquaculture or Aquatic Sciences
• Good knowledge of fish behaviour, stress response and welfare
• Previous experience in aquatic research
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Keen interest in research and for working within the field of aquatic sciences

Approval and Enrolment
 The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

Further information
For further information about the project, contact Senior Researcher Erik Höglund, (+45) 3396 3249.
General information may be obtained from Helge Abildhauge Thomsen, (+45) 2048 6264, or Nina Qvistgaard, (+45) 4048 7790

Application
We must have your online application by 1 March 2010. Please open the link "apply for this job online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and information about academic grades.
Furthermore, the application must include a vision for the PhD study and for this project in particular.

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

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 development 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 organised 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 Charlottenlund, Silkeborg and Hirtshals as well as on Dana. For further information please see www.aqua.dtu.dk