Postdoc in the development of new technologies and advanced analytics to sustainable fishing - DTU Aqua

If you have a keen interest in computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning, and their application in species identification and tracking to study animal responses to fishing gears and automatically recording catch 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. Understanding fish behavior in relation to commercial fishing gears is important in the development of more efficient, selective, and low environmental impact fishing gears, including new AI-based systems for the development of active selectivity systems. A main barrier to understanding animal responses to fishing gears is the lack of a resource-efficient way to analyze large amounts of observational data. Automated analyzes will pave the way for quantitative assessments of fish behavior in relation to fishing gear modifications.

You will join the Section for Fisheries Technology at DTU Aqua in Hirtshals. The section has over 25 years of experience in developing cutting-edge technology. This is used understand and improve the environmental and economic performance of commercial fisheries and to provide advice to policy makers to support society's need to regulate fishing. Our 20 employees focus on reducing all types of environmental impact of fishing, including mitigation of unwanted catch and ghost fishing as well as reducing seabed impact fuel in parallel with improving catch welfare and catch value. The section is internationally recognized and has a strong collaborative network within the development of advanced analytics.

We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment with excellent facilities for experimental studies and scientific cruise-based research. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Responsibilities
In this role, you will join an internationally recognised multidisciplinary team to develop new technologies and advanced analytics such as deep learning methods for the analysis of images and videos for species identification and tracking used for two purposes to advance commercial fisheries, i.e., (i) automated analysis of fish responses and (ii) automated catch registration.

The team is developing fish observation techniques. Fish detection, species identification and individual tracking algorithms are developed with the goal of implementing the software and methodology in an operational capacity. Your role will be to further this development by contributing with a strong background in computer vision, machine learning, quantitative analysis and programming. Parts of the research and development activities is to be carried out in collaboration with the fishing and fishing gear industries and international research partners.

You will collaborate with nearby colleagues and strengthen existing collaborations with other DTU institutes while also establishing new academic and industrial partnerships in Denmark as well as abroad. Your primary tasks will be to:

• Use different observation systems, including camera arrays, real-time underwater camera, and multibeam sonar, to describe detailed 2D and 3D fish behavior in relation to fishing gears.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to develop a thorough understanding of the fundamental processes.
• Conduct experimental testing and development at sea using AI-embedded monitoring systems.
• Develop supervised, semi-supervised and/or unsupervised methods, as well as robust learning methods to detect, classify, and segment fish species in video or in real-time camera systems.
• Manage and automate the collection and labelling of new datasets.
• 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 through the generation of new ideas in collaboration with end users.

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

• Documented research experience within the field of marine and aquatic sciences.
• Experience in working with AI tools, image analysis and behavioural data.
• Experience in planning and conducting field and/or laboratory work.
• Experience in statistical analysis/modelling.
• Prior experience in programming (e.g., R, Python). 
• Good communication skills in English, both written and orally.
• Problem-solving skills and ability to conduct research independently.
• 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.
• Strong interest in participating in an inter-disciplinary and international research environment.
• Willingness to contribute to a positive and inspirational work atmosphere.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). 

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 2 years. The position is based at the campus in Hirtshals. Expected startdate is 1 April 2025.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Junita Karlsen, +45 21248412, email: juka@aqua.dtu.dk, Prof Ludvig Krag, +45 21316457, email: lak@aqua.dtu.dk, and Head of Section for Fisheries Technology Jordan Feekings, +45 24895821; email: jpfe@aqua.dtu.dk.

You can read more about the Section for Fisheries technology here and DTU Aqua at www.aqua.dtu.dk.

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

Application procedure  
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 21 February 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)
• 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.

About DTU Aqua, Technical University of Denmark
DTU Aqua provides research, advice, innovation 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 350 employees, of whom a third are scientific staff. The other employees are assistant biologists, laboratory technicians, administrative staff, ship’s crew etc. In addition, the institute has a number of scientific and administrative support functions, including the research vessels DANA and HAVFISKEN. DTU Aqua has locations in Lyngby, Hirtshals, Nykøbing Mors, and Silkeborg.

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.