Post-Doctoral Fellow / Scientist (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture)

“WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity. For more information, visit: www.worldfishcenter.org”

About the Project

Animals, plants and microorganisms harvested and grown in water play a significant role in sustainably feeding and nourishing the world. Globally, 800 million people depend on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. But these vital aquatic food systems are hindered by the insecure livelihoods of those in related jobs, their low capacity to adapt to climate change, and the loss of marine nature.

The Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway project, supported through the UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program under the umbrella of the Blue Planet Fund (BPF), will focus on enabling communities to adapt to and mitigate against climate change as well as responsibly and sustainably manage marine and coastal nature and resources resulting in improved food and nutritional security as well as employment and income opportunities. The project will be implemented in two phases over seven years, starting with Phase 1 in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

About the Position

WorldFish is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow or Scientist Specialist in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture to be based in Ibadan, Nigeria. This position will be responsible to support the achievement of the work package 2 [Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA): seawater Farming of Finfish-Bivalves-Seaweed] in Nigeria. The primary purpose of this position is to successfully manage and implement the research activities of work package 2 in Nigeria, under the direction of the work package Lead, who will be based in Malaysia.

The successful candidate will focus on conducting high-quality applied research on the design and implementation of IMTA systems, with emphasis on assessing coastal aquaculture and mariculture technologies, practices, and production, analysing the current constraints and the opportunities for sustainable production in integrated aquaculture value chains, establishing a technical baseline of target communities and identifying and scaling the best combinations for integrated seawater Farming of Finfish-Bivalves-Seaweed in target communities.

The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary team of experts from different backgrounds, including aquaculture, fish nutrition, production systems, gender, climate change, scaling of innovations, science communication, rural development, and bioprocesses.

The Person

The successful candidate will be responsible to:

• Take primary responsibility for research implementation, data collection, data validation, quality assurance and analysis to achieve the research deliverables of work package 2 of the BlueTech Superhighway project in Nigeria.
• Support the design and implementation of research and developments activities in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific
• Work collaboratively with the work package lead, the Project Leader, and other senior experts. This includes engaging with WorldFish and partner scientists across other geographies to learn from, and contribute to, a growing body of work on IMTA.
• Mentor BSc/MSc and PhD students and interns from national and international universities and organization based in Nigeria.
• Ensure strong communication and coordination with local partners and build productive relations with investors and development partners from the public and private sectors for scaling out research results.
• Under the guidance of senior team members, including the work package lead, produce high-quality scientific publications from project findings.
• Represent the project and WorldFish in national and international fora.
• Ensure timely reporting of project activities and outcomes per WorldFish and donor requirements.
• Contribute to resource mobilization for further feed work in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• PhD in aquaculture, aquaculture production systems, sustainable aquaculture or related fields.
• A candidate with at least 2 years of highly relevant research experience will be considered for a scientist position where study experience is also highly relevant to the requirements of this position.
• Proven ability to develop and apply research on aquaculture production systems and sustainable aquaculture.
• Research on marine aquaculture ecosystems and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture will be highly valued.
• Proven competency with research design and statistical analysis.
• Strong publication track record for stage of career in relevant international peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven competency with the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge.
• Experience with working with rural communities in Africa, Asia or the Pacific.
• Motivation for high-quality science and delivery of impact from research.
• Show proven interest and ability to develop and maintain a professional network in the field of IMTA research.
• High degree of cultural sensitivity and proven record of effective working relationships in multi-disciplinary, diverse teams.
• Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good leadership and mentoring skills.
• Project management experience.
• History of applying research outcomes to policy development.
• Experience developing information and education materials for government and community stakeholders.
• Experience in resource mobilization in the field of aquaculture development.

Benefit

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with annual salary ranging between USD USD 47,900 – USD 69,700 per annum (for Scientist level) and USD 40,900 – USD 47,000 per annum (for Post-Doctoral Fellow level). WorldFish’s IRS shall receive comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident, and long-term disability insurance. Internationally recruited staff employed outside of their home base/country of nationality will also be eligible to receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for school-age dependents between age 4 and high school graduation. All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

The duration of the contract will initially be for a three-year period for Scientist position and two-year period for Post-Doctoral Fellow position with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance.