Are you fascinated by animal cognition, behavioural ecology, and positive animal welfare? Would you like to contribute to improving the welfare of aquaculture fish using rigorous behavioural experiments with real-world impact?
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position within the multidisciplinary project “Cognitive Fish Welfare”, hosted by the Behavioural Ecology chair group at the Animal Science Department. The project combines fundamental research on animal cognition with applied solutions for aquaculture systems.
Research Focus: Enrichment and Fish Preference
Fish welfare is increasingly recognized as a key challenge in sustainable aquaculture. This PhD project addresses a central but underexplored question: What types of environmental enrichment do fish prefer—and does giving them choice improve their welfare?
The selected candidate will investigate:
- Preferences of marine and freshwater aquaculture species for different forms of environmental enrichment.
- Whether aligning housing conditions with fish preferences improves behavioural, cognitive, and physiological welfare indicators.
- The integration of choice-based experimental designs, cognitive testing, and behavioural ecology to support positive welfare outcomes.
Responsibilities & Fieldwork
During this 4-year project, the PhD candidate will:
- Design and conduct choice assays allowing fish to express environmental preferences.
- Apply cognitive techniques to study learning, decision-making, and motivation.
- Measure behavioural and physiological indicators of welfare.
- Compare fish reared in preferred enriched environments with standard conditions.
- Analyse experimental data, publish results in peer-reviewed journals, and present at conferences.
This position is primarily laboratory-based, with opportunities for research visits to aquaculture facilities across Europe.
Candidate Requirements
- MSc degree in Biology (specialization in Animal Behaviour, Behavioural/Evolutionary Ecology, or related fields).
- Strong experimental design and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English (C1 level).
- Practical hands-on skills for constructing/assembling experimental setups using common DIY tools (e.g. drills, saws).
- Willingness to travel internationally for research visits and conferences.
Salary, Contract & Benefits
Under the CAO-NU (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), WUR offers excellent conditions:
- Gross monthly salary: €3,059 (1st year) rising to €3,881 (4th year).
- Fixed 8.3% year-end bonus and pension scheme.
- Initial 18-month contract, extended to 4 years upon positive evaluation.
- Partially paid parental leave and flexible working hours.
- Extensive support for international applicants (visa, housing, and relocation assistance).
How to Apply
Applications must include a CV and a motivation letter (maximum 3 pages total). Applications must be submitted through the official portal before the deadline of 24 February 2026: Apply on WUR Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this PhD suitable for students without prior fish research?
Yes. Experience with fish is beneficial but not essential if you have strong behavioural or experimental skills.
2. Is this project mainly applied or fundamental?
Both. The project combines fundamental cognitive research with applied aquaculture welfare solutions.
3. Will I publish during the PhD?
Yes. Publishing in international peer-reviewed journals is an integral part of the PhD program.