PhD #1: PhD research fellowship in safety assessments of the fishing fleet

Fisheries management aims at achieving sustainability in the Norwegian fisheries. An important aspect of sustainability is safe working conditions for the fishers. Even though the safety level in the fishing fleet has improved the last decades, there are still too many accidents, and fishing remains one of the most dangerous working places. Important influencing factors on the safety problems are the working environment, technology development, procedures, training, regulations, and external conditions.

The objective of the PhD position is to develop new methodologies and adapt existing risk analyses methods to the challenges of the fishing fleet, including procedures for data collection and interpretation. Analysis of causes to the safety problems is an essential part, along with evaluation of risk reducing measures.

Applicants must hold a Masters degree in marine technology or a related field. Candidates with other relevant background may be required to take some extra courses. Specific knowledge within fishing technology is not essential.

The employment period is 4 years with 25 % duties.

For more information, contact Professor Ingrid Bouwer Utne, e-mail: ingrid.b.utne@ntnu.no, tel: (+47) 73 59 55 56

PhD #2: PhD research fellowship in sustainability and energy use within the fishing fleet

Fisheries management aims at achieving sustainability in the Norwegian fisheries. An important aspect of sustainability is energy consumption on board the fishing vessels. Despite the fact that a considerably amount of new technology is and has been introduced into the fishing industry, analyses performed in Norway and internationally show that the specific energy consumption, in terms of energy input pr. unit catch brought to land, is not decreasing. Several studies show a rather opposite trend with increased specific energy use today compared to, for instance, the situation 30 years ago. This is contrary to the trend in most other industrial production processes where technological improvements have resulted in improved energy efficiency.

The objective of this PhD position is to analyze the situation in the fisheries with respect to energy consumption, compare to other industries, and find out what can be done to improve the energy efficiency.

Applicants must hold a Masters degree in marine technology or a related field. Candidates with other relevant background may be required to take some extra courses. Specific knowledge within fishing technology is not essential.

The employment period is 4 years with 25 % duties.

For more information, contact Professor Harald Ellingsen, e-mail: harald.ellingsen@ntnu.no, tel: (+47) 73 59 55 79

PhD #3: PhD research fellowship related to the development of new rational fishing strategies and overall fishing vessel operation.

A PhD position related to the development of new rational fishing strategies and overall fishing vessel operation is announced. The position is linked to a research program at SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture aiming at reducing NOx- and other environmental emissions and impacts from demersal fisheries, by proposing new fuel- and catch efficient active fishing gear concepts based on trawl- and seine technology.

The main goal of the PhD thesis is to propose rational fishing strategies for important North East Atlantic demersal (bottom) species, such as cod, haddock, saithe and shrimp. By fishing strategy is here basically meant how a vessel or fishing vessel company can optimize its operation during a year regarding fishing grounds, quouta, fisheries regulations, allowable fishing gear and fishing methods. The starting point will be two basic active fishing methods 1) target (point) fishing and 2) continuous (trajectory) fishing, or more specifically to combine and improve the best features of Danish- and Scottish seining, bottom trawling and pelagic trawling.

Applicants must hold a Masters degree in marine technology or a related field. Candidates with other relevant background may be required to take some extra courses. Specific knowledge within fishing technology is not essential.

The employment period is 3 years.

Further information can be obtained from Professor Harald Ellingsen, e-mail: harald.ellingsen@ntnu.no, phone (+47) 73 59 55 79 or Senior Researcher Svein Helge Gjøsund, e-mail: Svein.H.Gjosund@sintef.no, phone (+47) 982 45 043.

Application deadline: 1 September 2010

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