PhD Assistantship in Finfish and Ornamental Aquaculture

PhD Assistantship in Finfish and Ornamental Aquaculture

Start:
January 11, 2027 (Spring semester). Program:
Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Review begins immediately and continues until a suitable candidate is identified.

Description:

Florida supports a diverse aquaculture industry that includes freshwater and marine ornamental
fishes, food fish, shellfish, and species produced for conservation and stock enhancement. The state is the national
leader in ornamental fish production, with Florida growers reporting a farm-gate value of approximately $172
million in 2021. However, producers face continued challenges associated with overseas competition, changing
market demand, environmental stressors, regulatory requirements, and the need to diversify culture species and
improve production efficiency. The successful applicant will investigate critical knowledge gaps in the physiology
and production of freshwater and marine ornamental and food fish species. Potential projects may address captive
reproduction, larval rearing and grow-out, responses to environmental stressors, and/or the development of
predictive indicators of larval quality. Research will combine controlled aquaculture experiments with physiological
and molecular techniques to develop species-specific production protocols and support commercial aquaculture,
conservation, and fisheries management.

Location:

This position will be located at the University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). , a fully equipped research and extension center located in Ruskin, Florida.

The facility includes 5 greenhouses, 50 earthen ponds, a climate-controlled hatchery, and a full-service disease diagnostic laboratory. The terminal degree will be awarded through the Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences .edu

• M.S. degree in aquaculture or related discipline,
• Demonstrated research experience and peer-reviewed publication history
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, familiarity with biochemical assays and molecular techniques is desirable but not required
• Current Florida residency preferred

Salary/Benefits:
Annual stipend plus tuition remission and Gator Grad Care  health insurance.