The Institute of Aquaculture (IoA) at the University of Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom, invites applications from ambitious international researchers for its Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Funded PhD Studentships for the 2026–2027 academic cycle. Recognized globally as the UK’s premier center for aquaculture science and a recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the Institute of Aquaculture leads pioneering research in precision fish farming, aquatic animal health, sustainable aquafeeds, and aquatic genetics.
Program Overview: Research Fellowships at the Institute of Aquaculture
With world-class freshwater, marine, and tropical aquarium facilities—including the Machrihanish Marine Environmental Research Laboratory and Buckieburn Freshwater Research Station—the Institute of Aquaculture bridges fundamental aquatic bioscience with commercial aquaculture innovation. Current autumn 2026 openings include the flagship Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in AI Camera Analytics for Fish Behaviour, Welfare and Harvest Management (Ref: FAC02145) alongside doctoral studentships across aquatic veterinary health, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
| Program Parameter | Fellowship Specifications |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK |
| Featured Postdoctoral Role | Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Precision Aquaculture & AI Camera Analytics (Job Ref: FAC02145, Innovate UK AgriScale Project) |
| Doctoral (PhD) Tracks | Funded PhD Studentships (BBSRC, NERC, Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre & Industry Partnerships) |
| Salary / Stipend | Postdoc: Grade 7 (£37,099 – £44,263 per annum, full-time) PhD Stipend: UKRI standard tax-free stipend (~£19,237+/year) + tuition coverage |
| Application Timeline | October – November 2026 (Active Autumn/Winter 2026 recruitment window) |
| Core Research Groups | Aquatic Animal Health, Aquaculture Nutrition, Breeding & Genetics, Production & Welfare, Sustainable Seafood Systems |
Priority Research Areas & Active Projects
- Precision Aquaculture, Computer Vision & Fish Welfare (Ref: FAC02145): Developing and validating underwater AI camera analytics for real-time monitoring of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) swimming behavior, appetite scoring, welfare indicators, biomass estimation, and harvest optimization in commercial sea cages.
- Aquatic Animal Health, Parasitology & Immunology: Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and amoebic gill disease (AGD) control strategies, mucosal immunology, fish vaccinology, and emerging viral/bacterial pathogen diagnostics.
- Sustainable Aquaculture Nutrition & Lipid Metabolism: Novel marine ingredient replacements (microalgal oils, insect meal, single-cell proteins), omega-3 long-chain PUFA biosynthesis, and functional feeds for salmonids, tilapia, and marine finfish.
- Quantitative Genetics & Selective Breeding: Genomic selection for disease resistance, thermal tolerance, fillet quality, and ploidy manipulation (sterile triploid salmon and trout).
- Global Seafood Sustainability & Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Environmental footprint modeling, coastal carrying capacity, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), and low-trophic bivalve/seaweed farming.
Eligibility & Candidate Requirements
For Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
- A Ph.D. (or near completion) in Aquaculture, Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Fish Ethology/Welfare, Precision Livestock/Aquaculture Technology, Quantitative Ecology, or Computer Vision applied to biological systems.
- Proven track record of conducting field trials at commercial aquaculture sites or experimental tank facilities, strong quantitative data analysis skills (R, Python), and peer-reviewed publications.
For PhD Studentships
- A First-Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours degree and/or a Master’s degree (M.Sc. / M.F.Sc.) in Aquaculture, Aquatic Veterinary Studies, Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Molecular Biology, or Animal Nutrition.
- International applicants must meet the University of Stirling’s English language proficiency requirements (typically IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each component).
How to Apply
Prospective applicants should submit their online application—comprising a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), a cover letter addressing the person specification, research statement, academic transcripts, and contact details of academic referees—through the official University of Stirling recruitment portal.
Official Institute of Aquaculture Portal: University of Stirling – Institute of Aquaculture Official Page
University of Stirling Job Vacancies Portal: Work at Stirling – Current Academic & Research Vacancies