The Aquaculture and Fisheries (AFI) Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands, invites applications from ambitious international researchers for its Funded PhD Positions and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships for 2026–2027. Ranked #1 globally in Agriculture and Forestry and widely recognized as Europe’s premier agricultural and aquatic research university, WUR drives world-leading scientific breakthroughs in sustainable recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), fish digestive physiology, fish welfare, and marine ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Program Overview: Aquatic Research at Wageningen University
The Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, housed within the Department of Animal Sciences and the Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS) graduate school, operates cutting-edge aquatic experimental facilities including the high-tech CARUS aquatic research facility. Selected fellows and doctoral researchers investigate circular feed ingredients (insect meal, single-cell proteins), metabolic energetics in marine and freshwater teleosts, biofloc microbial ecology, fish behavioral welfare indicators, and climate-induced food-web restructuring in North Sea and global marine fisheries.
| Program Parameter | Fellowship Details |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, Netherlands |
| Academic Department | Aquaculture and Fisheries Group (AFI), Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS) |
| Position Types | 1. Fully Funded 4-Year PhD Candidate Positions 2. Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (WUR Postdoc Talent Programme & EU Horizon Projects) |
| Salary & Employment Package | PhD: €2,872 – €3,670 / month gross (CLA Dutch Universities) + holiday/end-of-year allowances Postdoc: €3,800 – €5,200 / month gross + pension and health benefits |
| Research Infrastructure | CARUS Aquatic Experimental Facility (respirometry, automated feed trials, climate-controlled RAS chambers) |
| Application Timeline | Autumn 2026 / Early 2027 Rolling Project-Specific Intake |
Key Research Themes & Scientific Pillars
- Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) & Water Treatment: Biofiltration engineering, particle dynamics, microbial community assembly in water loops, and closed-containment marine mariculture design.
- Fish Nutrition, Bioenergetics & Gut Physiology: Nutrient digestibility, amino acid kinetics, novel feedstuffs (algal oils, insect meal, microbial biomass), and gut microbiome-host immune interactions in salmonids, carp, tilapia, and pikeperch.
- Fish Welfare, Ethology & Cognitive Biology: Assessing fish stress physiology, behavioral indicators of welfare in intensive culture, non-invasive welfare sensors, and ethical stocking density optimization.
- Marine Fisheries Ecology & Ecosystem Modeling: Quantitative modeling of fish community size spectra, climate-driven distribution shifts of pelagic stocks, discard reduction strategies, and Marine Protected Area (MPA) effectiveness.
- Circular Bioeconomy & Integrated Aquaculture: Nutrient recovery from aquaculture sludge, co-cultivation of polychaetes, bivalves, and macroalgae in land-based and coastal systems.
Eligibility Criteria
For PhD Positions
- A Master’s degree (M.Sc. / M.F.Sc.) in Aquaculture, Fisheries Biology, Animal Nutrition, Marine Biology, Veterinary Medicine, or a closely related biological/environmental discipline.
- Strong quantitative background in statistical analysis (R, Python), experimental design, or wet-lab fish husbandry.
- Proficiency in the English language (minimum IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 equivalent). Open to international applicants of all nationalities.
For Postdoctoral Fellowships
- A Ph.D. in Aquaculture, Fish Physiology, Marine Ecology, Quantitative Fisheries, or Environmental Sciences, completed within the past 3 to 4 years.
- Demonstrated track record of first-author publications in leading Q1 peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
How to Apply
Applications for funded positions must be submitted through the official Wageningen University recruitment portal. Candidates should prepare a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), a letter of motivation addressing the project focus, academic transcripts, and contact information for two academic referees.
Official WUR Vacancies Portal: WUR Official Career & Vacancies Page
Aquaculture & Fisheries Group Profile: Prospective candidates can visit the WUR AFI Group Official Page to explore faculty research profiles and active grant projects.