PhD position in the development of new digital technologies and advanced analytics to sustainable fishing - DTU Aqua

Jobbeskrivelse

If you have a keen interest in computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning, and their application in species identification and automated catch registration for the advancement of commercial fisheries, this may be the perfect position for you. At DTU Aqua, you will combine these areas to help improve the environmental and economic sustainability of commercial fisheries.

You will join the Section for Fisheries Technology at DTU Aqua in Hirtshals. The section has 20 employees and focuses on the technological development of fishing gears, techniques and methods that can contribute to promoting economic and environmental sustainability in the fishing industry, and that can support society's need to regulate fishing. The section is internationally recognized and has a strong collaborative network within the development of advanced analytics.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will join an internationally recognised multidisciplinary team to develop new real-time digital technologies and advanced analytics such as deep learning methods for the analysis of images and videos for species and size identification, automated catch registration and decision support tools for fishers to advance commercial fisheries. The team is developing decision support tools for fishers based on fish detection and species identification algorithms, with the goal of implementing the software in an operational capacity. Your role will be to further this development by contributing with competencies in computer vision, machine learning, quantitative analysis and programming.

• Develop supervised, semi-supervised and/or unsupervised methods, as well as robust learning methods to detect, classify, and segment fish species and sizes in video or in real-time camera systems.
• Manage and automate the collection and labelling of new datasets.
• Combine the developed algorithms into software capable of packaging fisheries data into useable tools for end-users.
• Produce high quality scientific and/or engineering papers suitable for publication in quality journals.
• Prepare appropriate conference papers and present those at conferences.
• Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and ideas for further research.
• Participate in national and international projects.

Competencies and Qualifications

In the assessment of the candidates, particular consideration will be given to:

• Experience in the development and application of computer vision algorithms, machine learning and automation, and the ability to understand and develop machine learning algorithms for video analyses.
• Experience in developing and evaluating machine learning models.
• Proficiency in Python, C++ or equivalent.
• High-level written and oral communication skills with the ability to represent the research team effectively internally and externally, including the presentation of research outcomes at national and international conferences.
• 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.

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 terms of employment

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.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Head of Section for Fisheries Technology Jordan Feekings, +45 24895821; email: jpfe@aqua.dtu.dk

You can read more about DTU Aqua at www.aqua.dtu.dk

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 November 2025 (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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English) including official description of grading scale.
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.