Cormo Diet: Tracking 45 Years Of Change In Danish Cormorant Diets Using Machine Learning

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Ecoscience programme. The position is available from 01 December 2024 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title
Cormo Diet: Tracking 45 Years Of Change In Danish Cormorant Diets Using Machine Learning

Research area and project description
We are excited to offer a fully funded PhD position as part of the project "Cormo Diet".

This innovative research seeks to document long-term changes in the diets of Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) at various colonies across Denmark. The study will use fish otoliths (ear bones) found in regurgitated pellets to assess shifts in fish populations over a 45-year period. As part of the project, we are developing automated identification methods using neural networks and machine learning to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of this process. The results of this research will contribute to the Danish Fish Atlas and inform ongoing debates around Cormorant-fish-fisheries conflicts, as well as contribute to integrated ecosystem-based management efforts.

Key Objectives of the PhD

• Analyse and document long-term changes in Cormorant diets at multiple Danish colonies.
• Develop and refine machine learning algorithms for automating otolith identification, improving cost-effectiveness in data analysis.
• Contribute to collaborative projects with European partners, including the KoMoDo and SOS Fish initiatives.
• Publish findings on how changes in Cormorant diets reflect shifts in fish populations, helping to inform conservation strategies and fisheries management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork and laboratory analysis of Cormorant pellets and otoliths.
• Develop and apply machine learning models to automate otolith identification.
• Collaborate with researchers across Europe on related projects.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences.

We Offer

• A fully funded PhD position.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for fieldwork and laboratory analysis.
• Opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers across Europe.
• A dynamic and supportive research environment at Aarhus University, one of Denmark’s top institutions for ecological research.
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences, workshops, and training.

Project description: For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.

Qualifications and specific competences
Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or at least one year of a Master’s degree related to marine ecology, biology, zoology, data science, etc.

• A strong interest in seabird ecology, fisheries biology, and ecosystem-based management is essential and experience with machine learning techniques and programming (Python, R, etc.) is highly desirable.
• Previous experience with data analysis, fieldwork, or otolith identification is an advantage.
• Applicants must have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  

Place of employment and place of work
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Ecoscience, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, bldg. 1110, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Contacts
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:

• Thomas Bregnballe, [email protected] (main supervisor)

How to apply
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 28 October 2024 at 23:59 CET

Preferred starting date is 01 December 2024.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after the deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.