PhD project: WildBotics - Autonomous Sampling with Robotics in the Wild for Nature Conservation

BioConsult SH GmbH; Husum; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An environmental research organization is seeking a motivated Doctoral Candidate to investigate the occurrence of harbour porpoises and their responses to underwater noise. The project involves using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles for data collection and will include collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. This is a fully funded, 3-year full-time position based in Husum, Germany, with travel opportunities for fieldwork and conferences. Ideal candidates should have a Master's degree in a relevant field and demonstrated experience in fieldwork and data analysis.

Leistungen

Attractive salary in accordance with MSCA regulations

Living and mobility allowances

Family allowance and long-term leave allowance

Qualifikationen

• A relevant Master's degree in biology, ecology, statistics, engineering, physics, computer science, or related fields.
• Understanding of marine mammal biology/ecology or bioacoustics.
• Demonstrated experience with fieldwork and data collection.

Aufgaben

• Investigate harbour porpoises in relation to their soundscape.
• Conduct fieldwork using Autonomous Underwater Vehicle systems.
• Collaborate with other projects within WildBotics.

Kenntnisse

Marine mammal biology

Bioacoustics

Fieldwork experience

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Programming skills

Good communication

Team collaboration

Proactive work

English proficiency

Ausbildung

Master's degree in relevant field

Jobbeschreibung

Why us?

We are looking for a motivated Doctoral Candidate (DC) to join our project within the “WildBotics - Autonomous Sampling with Robotics in the Wild for Nature Conservation” MSCA Doctoral Network.

About our project

This PhD project will investigate the occurrence of harbour porpoises in relation to the soundscape they are exposed to, using Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems that can simultaneously record the acoustic presence of harbour porpoises along with environmental data (e.g., ambient underwater noise) over a large spatial area. The focus of the project will be on behavioural patterns of harbour porpoises, such as their response to different noise levels, and long‑term impacts of noise on their habitat distribution. Close collaboration with other projects within WildBotics is expected in the areas of soundscape analyses using AI and development of the AUV system.

For detailed information about WildBotics, see https://www.wildbotics.eu/home.

The successful DC would be based at BioConsult SH main office in Husum, Germany, and be enrolled in a PhD programme at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). Work‑related travel is expected (fieldwork, conference, training, secondments, etc).

This is a fully funded, 3‑year full‑time position, with an attractive salary in accordance with MSCA regulations, including living and mobility allowances, plus family allowance, long‑term leave allowance and special needs allowance (for candidates with disabilities), if applicable.

Your mission

Eligibility

To be eligible for the positions, applicants:

• must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment in the project,
• can be of any nationality,
• must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting institution (Germany) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.

Contact

Application

For more information on how to apply, go to the application portal on WildBotics’ webpage: https://www.wildbotics.eu/recruitment

Deadline: 7th January 2026, 23:59 CET

Preferred start date: September 2026

Contact

For further enquiries regarding the project, please contact:

Gin Swen Ham

Principal supervisor Email: [e-mail]

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Your profile

• A relevant Master's degree in biology, ecology, statistics, engineering, physics, computer science, or related fields
• Understanding of marine mammal biology/ecology, bioacoustics, or clear evidence of the ability and motivation to learn new scientific fields
• Demonstrated experience with fieldwork and data collection, acoustic analysis, and processing of large datasets
• Familiar with programming and data analysis in at least one programming language
• Strong statistical analysis skills
• Good written and spoken English
• Good communication skills, with emphasis on personal and interpersonal qualities
• Ability to work independently, proactively, and as a team member in a multidisciplinary environment with researchers from diverse backgrounds
• Meet the entry requirements of the PhD programme at SDU