Post Doctoral Fellow (Aquatic Animal Health, Biosecurity and Social Science)

ABOUT WorldFish  

WorldFish is an international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish and other aquatic foods for their livelihoods and nutrition. Our work in countries advances progress on multiple 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation, with a vision of healthy people, healthy planet and shared prosperity.    

Position Background
We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the European Research Council-funded Advanced research project BIOSSCI ‘Social Science Transformations of Biosecurity.’

The postholder will work to design and deliver a research programme that provides evidence on Bangladesh-based policy and practice related to aquaculture fish health and biosecurity. The role will involve working with key actors including farmers, farm workers, hatcheries, policymakers, and scientists to build an understanding of how fish health is perceived, managed, and practised.

The successful candidate will have a background and experience in veterinary social science, agricultural extension, human geography, sociology, anthropology, or science and technology studies. The candidate should be familiar with a range of social science research methods, including surveys, participant observation, interviews, and qualitative data analysis. The candidate must be able to work independently, self-manage, and take initiative in developing fieldwork opportunities. This position will involve collaboration with internationally based colleagues in the UK and South Africa to support comparative analyses and co-learning across country contexts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute and report on farm as well as policy practices that relate to the interface of rural livelihoods, fish health, disease control, and biosecurity.
• Achieve the research deliverables of the BIOSSCI project in Bangladesh.
• Support the project team in the UK, and South Africa in overall project delivery.
• Disseminating research findings using media appropriate to the discipline, publish social scientific and outreach articles.
• Work collaboratively with the Project Leader based in the UK.
• Develop productive partnerships to develop social science and biosecurity work in Bangladesh, WorldFish and CGIAR, through key international and national research institutes and universities.
• Build productive relations with investors and development partners from public and private sectors for scaling out research results.
• Mentor research support assistants assigned to the BIOSSCI project.
• Develop productive working relationships with other members of staff.
• Plan, organize, execute and report on project progress in dialogue with senior as well as junior staff/employees and external partners.
• Support to develop research objectives, projects and proposals and contribute to resource mobilization for further work in other WorldFish countries.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• PhD in Social Science and related fields.

• At least two years of research experience in social research, with expertise in social surveys and qualitative methods.
• Excellent proficiency of spoken and written English.
• Proven record of publications in his/her study field.
• Motivation for high quality social science and delivery of impact from research.
• Show proven interest and ability to develop and maintain a professional network in the field of social research and aquaculture development.
• Ability to work within interdisciplinary research teams, linking own expertise to other fields, including fish health, rural studies, aquaculture science and gender inequalities research fields.
• Ability to work independently and manage research projects.
• Proven competency with social science research design and analysis of quantitative as well as qualitative data.
• Proven competence with conducting social surveys.
• Proven competency with ethnographic methods.
• Strong writing skills with record of publication in high quality social scientific outputs.
• Experience with aquaculture, science and development.
• Experience with working with rural communities.
• Experience of supervising staff.
• Knowledge of the aquaculture industry.
• Knowledge and experience working in the field.
  

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Good leadership and mentoring skills.
• Project management experience.
• Able to balance the pressures of research, administrative demands and competing deadlines.

Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including comprehensive benefits (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, 15% employer provident fund contribution, leave and others. The duration of the contract will initially be for a two years period with the possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.
  

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 23:59 (BST) 18 May 2026.

Location: The post holder will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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

Over 40% of WorldFish staff is women with some 30 nationalities represented and contributing to its dynamic multicultural work environment. WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diverse 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.