Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:PhD position in Shrimp Aquaculture - SwitchFloc Project (d/f/x/m)

Background
Aquaculture provides more than half of the world's seafood protein, but it faces major challenges such as high water demand, eutrophication, biosecurity risks, and dependence on fishmeal and fish oil. Biofloc technology (BFT) is an innovative aquaculture system that recycles carbon and nitrogen waste into valuable microbial biomass, which can be used directly on-site as a feed source. This reduces the reliance on commercial aquafeeds and supports the enhancement of animal immune systems.

The SwitchFloc project addresses current BFT challenges through an interdisciplinary and intersectoral research and training programme, including international secondments and network-wide training events. SwitchFloc will focus on species that are already well adapted to BFT as well as on species newly introduced to this system. In addition, it will advance aquafeed formulation and manufacturing and improve animal health by promoting benefical mircoorganisms within the biofloc. 


Your PhD project
The incorporation of BFT into alternative aquaculture systems, such as FlocPonics, serves as a mechanism to advance both circular economy principles and water sustainability. FlocPonics play a pivotal role in mitigating the accumulation of nitrates (NO3-) or phosphates (PO42-) into water. This integration facilitates an improved productivity as multiple species can be cultivated concurrently, further a better water quality. To achieve this objective, under the supervision of Dr Matthew Slater (Orcid: 0000-0002-2470-2790), the doctoral candidate will select candidate plants to be growth linked to shrimp BFT production. In relation to this study, a first stay at UNIPD (academic partner) will be performed to analyse the plant’s nutritional value and test it as a high-value food. After plant selection, the best feeding regime and water quality conditions in terms of total suspended solids (TSS), salinity, pH, nitrate, and phosphates concentration will be determined to maximize shrimp and plant growth. Afterwards, FlocPonics system can be “coupled” (a continuous flow of water out of the shrimp productions system, through the plant production and back to the shrimp) or “decoupled” (batch wise transfer of water between the two systems). Therefore, both systems will be compared to determine which system better shrimp and plant performance. Finally, a second stay at KVC (non- academic partner) will be carry out to perform a small-scale market analysis of candidate plant species and FlocPonics systems, determining optimal conditions from an economic perspective.

These research activities will be carried out within the doctoral studies and in close collaboration with the international network of the SwitchFloc project.

Work Conditions

Contract Duration
It is offered a full-time contract of 3 years length working exclusively for the action, with the tentative initial date between June/July 2026. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13.

Work Location
The primary location where the research activities will be carried out shall be the Bremerhaven. In addition, during this period, the PhD student must complete two research stays of around 3 months each, at:

• Universita Degli Studi Di Padova (UNIPD, Italy)
• Senior Europa Sociedad Limitada (KVC, Spain)

Contributions for recruited researchers
In accordance with the conditions established under the MSCA Doctoral Networks framework, the recruited researcher will receive a total gross remuneration of EUR 171,652.32, which includes the Living Allowance and the Mobility Allowance for the duration of the contract (Paid in 12 or 14 instalments, to be agreed with the host institution). In addition, if the recruited researcher meets the criteria to be considered as having a family, an additional Family Allowance of EUR 17,820 will be granted. For the purposes of this contract, “family” refers to persons linked to the researcher by marriage (or by a relationship with equivalent legal status recognised by the legislation of the country where such relationship was formalised) and/or dependent children who are effectively maintained by the researcher.

This position is limited to 3 years (subject to available funds).

Elegibility Criteria according to EU regulations for this project 

• Candidates should not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment
• Candidates can be of any nationality
• Comply with the mobility rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the recruiting country for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment
• Enrolled in a doctoral programme, in at least 1 EU Member State/Associated Country

Your Profile

• Master's Degree in Aquatic Sciences and Technology, Marine Science, Aquaculture, Biotechnology or similar
• Strong analytical skills
• Laboratory experience including biological assays
• Excellent scientific writing skills in English (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C2)

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in aquaculture research in recirculation systems, preferably with experience in BioFloc management, shrimp/fish husbandry and diet formulation

Score
Remarks
Professional experience
1 point per year
Maximum 5 points
Master’s degree
1 point per Master
Maximum 3 points
Master related with Aquatic Sciences and Technology, Marine Science, Aquaculture, Biotechnology or similar
General Formation Course

101 hours or more: 1.00 points

76 to 100 hours: 0.75 points

51 to 75 hours: 0.50 points

26 to 50 hours: 0.25 points

15 to 25 hours: 0.10 points
Maximum 3 points
Specific Formation Course

101 hours or more: 1.00 points

76 to 100 hours: 0.75 points

51 to 75 hours: 0.50 points

26 to 50 hours: 0.25 points

15 to 25 hours: 0.10 points
Maximum 3 points
Language Skills

C2 level: 2 points

C1 level: 1.5 points

B2 level: 1 point
Maximum 3 points
Other merits
Fellowship and publications produced that are directly related to the duties of the job
Maximum 2 points
Personal Interview
Previous knowledge in the topic, oral communication, social skills, positive aptitude and motivation
Maximum 2 points


Further Information
The AWI is characterized by

The AWI is characterized by

• Our scientific success - excellent research
• Collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
• Opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
• An international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
• Flexible working hours 
• Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
• Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
• Occupational pension provision (VBL)

Obligations Related to Intellectual Property, Confidentiality and Project Reporting
The selected Doctoral Candidate (DC) shall comply with the following obligations, in accordance with the MSCA Doctoral Networks Grant Agreement and institutional regulations:
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) The DC shall respect all rules and procedures related to Intellectual Property Rights arising from the project. This includes:

• Proper management of research results generated during the fellowship.
• Compliance with ownership, protection, exploitation, and dissemination rules established by the host institution and project consortium.
• Signing any required institutional or consortium-level IPR agreements prior to commencing the research activities.

- Obligation to Inform the Beneficiary The DC must inform the supervisor and the hosting institution as soon as possible of any event, issue, or circumstance that may:

• Affect the progress of the research project,
• Impact contractual obligations,
• Lead to delays, interruptions, or changes in the work plan, or
• Influence compliance with mobility, enrolment, or employment requirements.

-Confidentiality Obligations The DC shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

• All sensitive, proprietary, or unpublished information obtained during the project.
• Any data, processes, methodologies, or results disclosed within the consortium.
• Confidential information must not be shared, communicated, or used for purposes outside the project without prior written authorization.

The confidentiality obligation remains in force both during and after the completion of the contract, as established in the Grant Agreement.
-Visibility of EU Funding The DC must ensure correct and consistent visibility of the European Union funding, including:

• Acknowledging MSCA funding in all publications, presentations, posters, theses, and any dissemination materials.
• Using the official wording and logos required under Horizon Europe communication guidelines.
• Referring explicitly to the project acronym and Grant Agreement number when disseminating results or participating in outreach activities.

Code of Conduct: Research Integrity and Ethics

The Employee hereby acknowledges their professional responsibility to adhere to the highest standards of research ethics and integrity throughout their employment and participation in the SwitchFloc project, funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Grant Agreement No.101226312]).

The Employee is specifically required to comply with the principles and standards outlined in the latest revised edition of the "European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity" published by ALLEA (All European Academies). This document is recognised by the European Commission as the essential standard for research integrity in EU-funded projects.

Adherence to the four fundamental principles of research integrity—Reliability, Honesty, Respect, and Accountability—is mandatory.

The Employee undertakes to participate in all mandatory ethics and research integrity training provided by the Host Institution as part of their personal career development plan.

Any breach of the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity may be considered a violation of the Employee's contractual obligations and will be handled according to the Host Institution's established procedures for addressing research misconduct, ensuring due process and fairness to all parties involved.

The Employee confirms they have read, understood, and accept the Code of Conduct, which is available electronically at allea.org/code-of-conduct/


AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.


AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. As a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.