Vacant job

Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua)

Third-cycle subject area

Biology

Description of the doctoral project

A PhD position in biology with a specialization in aquatic ecology is available at the Department of Aquatic Resources at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU Aqua). The theme of the PhD project is the management and conservation of critically endangered fishes, focusing on Anguillid eels.

Restocking or reintroduction of juvenile fish is a widespread management tool used to compensate for population decline or loss. While this mitigation measure holds substantial stakeholder and political support, restocking can have negative ecological and evolutionary effects on populations, food webs, and ecosystems.

The effects of restocking in species where stocking is based on the reallocation of wild-caught juveniles, such as Anguillid eels, are poorly understood. The focus of this project is to address some of these knowledge gaps through laboratory experiments, field studies, analysis of long-term data, and systematic mapping. The main questions to be addressed are:

• What are the behavioral and physiological differences between naturally recruited and imported quarantined juvenile European eel?
• What are the differences in migratory behavior and mortality between naturally recruited and imported quarantined juvenile European eel?
• What are the long-term effects of restocking on mortality, growth, and production in natural freshwater and coastal ecosystems?
• Additionally, this project aims to produce a systematic evidence map and an open database on the restocking of European and Japanese eel, to communicate the effects of restocking and facilitate future research.

About the position

The main task is to conduct PhD thesis work under supervision, which includes developing the PhD student's methodological experience (e.g., laboratory work, fieldwork, meta-analysis), analytical skills (statistics), writing skills (first authorship of scientific publications), presentation skills, and the development of the student's theoretical depth and breadth.

To answer the questions above, the PhD student will conduct experiments in the laboratory and in the field on live animals, including handling and maintenance of eels, behavioral and physiological experiments, tagging and tracking of eels in the field, and more. The work will be carried out at the fish labs at SLU Aqua in Stockholm, at the Kristineberg field station (Swedish west coast), and at field sites for tracking migratory behavior (rivers in Sweden, mainly the Kävlingeån river in southern Sweden). The laboratory work also includes otolith analysis. The PhD student will also participate in the analysis of several large datasets containing over 40 years of monitoring data. A systematic map and database will also be created regarding restocking effects in European and Japanese eel, to evaluate the outcomes of two closely related species under different contexts: wild-caught vs. hatchery-reared restocking.

The position includes close collaboration with Professor Fredrik Jutfelt at the University of Gothenburg and Professor Anders Nilsson at Lund University. This implies possibilities for collaboration with a large network of researchers in Europe, Australia, and Canada, via The FINclub and The Jutfelt Ecophysiology Lab.

Examples of duties for the position:

• Leading various lab and field experiments with eel
• Otolith microchemistry analysis
• Systematic mapping
• Robust data handling and analyses
• Writing scientific papers
• Presenting at meetings and conferences
• Teaching or other duties at the university (optional)

Requirements

To meet the general entry requirements, you must have been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).

Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in biology. To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have at least 90 HEC in biology-related subjects. This must include a degree project, and at least 30 HEC must be at the second-cycle level.

You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.

Your profile

• Experience with animal experiments and/or fieldwork.
• Fish experience is a plus but not a requirement.
• Experience with relevant practical and statistical methods.
• Experience with independent writing.
• Experience with systematic mapping is meriting but not a requirement.
• Experience with analysis of large, long-term datasets is meriting but not a requirement.
• Good ability to collaborate.
• Ability to contribute to a good working climate.
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• A driver’s licence is meriting for the field studies.
• Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as collaboration skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the capacity for independent work.

About us

At the Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), we are passionate about the conservation and sustainable management of aquatic animals, including fish. We are geographically distributed across Sweden, and this PhD position will be based in Stockholm at the Institute of Freshwater Research, beautifully situated in the countryside on the island of Lovön right by Lake Mälaren at Drottningholm.

Read more about SLU Aqua: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/aquatic-resources/

Location:

Drottningholm, Stockholm

Form of employment and salary

Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme)

Doctoral students’ salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.

Scope:

100%

Start date:

2026-09-01, or upon agreement.

Application:

Please submit your application before the deadline of 06 July 2026. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Read more about the attachments that your application should include at https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/

Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.