WorldFish Center
Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Location: Bangladesh or Malaysia
Application Deadline: 15 June 2022
Type of contract: 2 ½ years fixed-term contract (option to renew based on performance and budget)
Language(s) required: English (native/fluent writing and oral skills)
About WorldFish
WorldFish is an international, non-profit research and innovation organization reducing hunger, malnutrition and poverty across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. For over 45 years, our work on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries has improved the lives of millions of women, men and youth.
Fish and other aquatic foods grown in and harvested from oceans, lakes, rivers and ponds provide income for more than 800 million people and provide 3.3 billion with 20% of their animal protein intake. Our focus on sustainability makes sure that the way we produce and use these foods today means a plentiful future of generations to come.
Our evidence-based solutions range in scale from households to global policies and spans across six interlinked themes: nutrition, gender, climate, sustainability, economy and COVID-19.
We champion aquatic foods for healthy people and planet and believe that a sustainable blue planet of well-nourished children, women and men is within our reach.
About the Position
The new One CG-wide initiative “Protecting Human Health through a one health approach” is seeking an internationally recruited Post-Doc/Scientist to support the one health program of WorldFish in Bangladesh. The primary purpose of this position is to manage the One Health initiative research activities in Bangladesh under the direction of WorldFish Focal point for One Health Initiative.
The candidate will be required to design and supervise assessments of key aquatic farming systems from a one health perspective including AMR and food safety aspects. Lead design and implementation of population based surveys to understand drivers for use of antimicrobial agents (AMA). Implement field based interventions to understand the cost-benefits of using or not using AMA in aquatic farming systems. The successful candidate has to work closely with ILRI, IFPRI and IWMI researchers involved in the One Health initiative.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop collaborations with external scientists in their field and play an active role in coordinating their work with, and providing advice to, research and development partners, including private sector partners, where relevant, and to engage in proposal development to extend support for research activities.
The successful candidate will be responsible to:
- Design and supervise assessments of key aquatic farming systems from a one health perspective including AMR and food safety aspects.
- Lead design and implementation of population based surveys to understand drivers for use of antimicrobial agents (AMA).
- Implement field based interventions to understand the cost-benefits of using or not using AMA in aquatic farming systems. In particular the post-doc will:
- (Co)Lead (with WP3 & WP4) leaders design and implementation of field surveys, field intervention studies, collection and analysis of biological samples/water for pathogens, AB residues and AMR in key carp/tilapia farming systems of Bangladesh.
- Lead data collection, processing and writing of research papers.
- Publish research papers in quality scientific journals and ensuring that research findings are communicated to the larger scientific and development practitioner community.
- Assist in developing, or develop, new research proposals and projects.
Key Requirements
- Ph.D. (or equivalent) in microbiology, Aquatic food systems, public health, food safety or similar.
- At least two years of practical experience of working in aquatic food systems and aquatic microbiology.
- Good knowledge and experience in human health risk and food safety assessments in aquatic food systems, biosecurity in aquatic farming systems, aquatic microbiology, AMR, disease diagnostics and metagenomics.
- Understanding of recent WHO, OIE and FAO guidelines on one health, AMR, food safety and safe water reuse.
- An emerging track record of relevant scientific publications, and experience of working on applied research in the field of one health, aquatic animal health, AMR, microbial health risks in water and aquatic food systems.
- Ability to effectively establish priorities, and plan, organize, implement and monitor work activities with limited supervision.
- Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
- Experience working in developing countries.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Experience of working on AMR aspects in aquatic food systems.
- Experience of undertaking field work in countries of WorldFish interest.
- Ability and desire to travel and spend periods of time in the field.
- Ability to train and mentor younger scientists and other research and/or development partners.
Salary & Benefits
This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including comprehensive benefits including (but not limited to) housing allowance*, relocation and repatriation assistance*, dependent education allowance*, home leave entitlement*, comprehensive insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, and pension/provident fund contribution.
Note: Items marked * are not applicable to staff recruited as Home Country Internationals (nationals of the country of posting). All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.
Recruitment Process
The position will be based at WorldFish headquarters in Penang, Malaysia, or Dhaka, Bangladesh.Interviews are expected to be held in June 2022 and only shortlisted candidates will be notified and expected to attend the virtual interview. The successful candidate should be available to commence as soon as possible for an initial two and a half (2 ½) years fixed-term contract, with a high probability of contract renewal depending on performance and funding situation. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only shortlisted candidates will be notified
How to apply
Interested applicants are invited to submit the following information online here latest by 15 June 2022:
- A cover letter including a 2-page (max) description of why you are an ideal candidate and what you would bring to the role;
- A current curriculum vitae;
- Names and contacts (telephone and e-mail addresses) of three professional referees who are familiar with your qualifications and work experience. Your nominated referees ideally should have persons from each of the following categories: direct supervisor, internal peer and/or direct report. None of the referees will be contacted without your permission.
The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
WorldFish has seven offices across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with more than 400 staff and 27 nationalities who contribute to a dynamic multicultural work environment.
WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions.
People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.
We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.