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The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE), UiT-The Arctic University of Norway in close collaboration with SINTEF Ocean (Tromsø, Trondheim) and SINTEF Industry (Oslo) has a PhD position vacant in application for use of biodegradable materials in aquaculture - for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD). The position is attached to the research group Harvest at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS).

The position is for a period of four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties. The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position.

The position is a part of our participation in the center for research-based innovation: SFI Dsolve - Biodegradable plastics for marine applications which includes SINTEF Industry and SINTEF Ocean as well as several other research and industry partners. The candidate shall collaborate with industrial partners within aquaculture in the SFI. Supervisors for the candidate will be from UiT-Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economy, SINTEF Ocean, SINTEF Industry, and other partners.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø, although the candidate is expected to spend a proportion of their time at partly in Trondheim at SINTEF Ocean and potentially in corporation with SINTEF Industry in Oslo. SINTEF Ocean and SINTEF Industry are in possession of facilities for weathering experiments and mechanical tests, including labs for the investigation of biodegradation in natural sea water and marine sediments, polymers and composites research. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The project / The position’s field of research

The PhD project is within the SFI Dsolve financed by the Research Council of Norway. This is a multi-disciplinary project concentrated around the development and implementation of biodegradable plastics in fisheries and aquaculture.

Norway's salmon farming industry is a major export sector, yet the issue of microplastic pollution from aquaculture has received less attention compared to fisheries. However, this is now changing, and the industry is expected to implement measures to reduce microplastic emissions in the coming years. This PhD project will contribute to these efforts by investigating strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution from aquaculture, with a particular focus on single-use ropes used in the industry.

The PhD candidate will select a primary research focus within the overarching theme of microplastic reduction in aquaculture. One aspect must address the use of single-use ropes in aquaculture, exploring their usage patterns, methods to reduce their consumption, and the implementation of biodegradable alternatives.

The project work will involve field experiments conducted at aquaculture facilities in collaboration with industry partners, and laboratory research to assess material properties and degradation processes. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in chemistry, physics, marine biology, aquaculture, fisheries technology, and industry stakeholders.