Professorship in Population Ecology of Marine Fishes

Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Applications are invited for a position as professor in the research field of population ecology of marine fishes. The professorship is affiliated with the National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Section for Marine Living Resources located in Lyngby. 

The research of the section addresses biology and ecology of fishes, population genetics, stock structure and dynamics, development of statistical modelling tools and applications for these areas, as well as bio-physical modelling from an individual organism to complex population dynamics. This includes research on the biological mechanisms behind population fluctuations and development of appropriate mathematical models for assessing the development of fish stocks, how they distribute and interact with each other and the environment, how much they are fished, and the level of exploitation they can sustain within a reasonable prediction horizon. It combines analysis of individual traits in marine organisms, demography, and spatial behaviour and links biological process knowledge with development of statistically based models to interpret noisy data and produce reliable management advice for the exploitation of marine living resources. 

Responsibilities and tasks

The professor is expected to lead a scientific section, implying academic, strategic, human, and other resource management as well as active engagement in the departments leadership in helping to develop both other research sections and support functions. The professors research field will be: 

· nutritional and physiological ecology in relation to predator and prey interactions and environmental conditions 

· investigation of key population dynamic rates, such as growth and mortality 

· life history characterization and fitness optimization, and 

· improvement of process models and inclusion of their output into fish stock assessment and prediction for development of the basis for management strategy evaluations. 

The innovative focus lies on introducing new molecular biology and microchemical methods for analysing individual metabolism, growth, reproduction and adaptability to heterogeneous and dynamic environmental conditions. Research and education activities are expected to be carried out in close cooperation with other research sections in the department, other units at the university, and other relevant university groups, primarily in Scandinavia and Europe. 

Qualifications
The position is intended for a candidate with an internationally acknowledged track record in research addressing the ecology of fishes, from individual to population level, including physiology, nutrition, migratory and feeding behaviour in relation to prey, predators, and environment, employing novel combinations of micro-chemical and molecular techniques. The candidate is expected to have experience in research on population traits considering variations in environmental and climatic conditions as well as fisheries. 
The candidate should have knowledge on the inclusion of results from these research fields in population dynamic models, stock assessment and advice on fisheries management. Employment requires innovative research at high international level within relevant research themes and a track record in research leadership, including i) visionary strategic development of the research area, ii) leading multidisciplinary research groups, and iii) planning, implementing, and running interdisciplinary research projects. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to have extensive experience in teaching and educational development at all academic levels, including supervision and training of PhD students and postdocs and recruitment of students at all levels. 

Application procedure

Please submit your online application no later than 11 March 2019(local time)