Research project: Fish for Health – improving the nutritional quality of farmed fish for human consumption

Period: Two years

Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship

Location: University of São Paulo, Oceanographic Institute, Ubatuba, Brazil

Supervisors: Dr. Daniel Lemos and Dr. Albert G. J. Tacon

Justification: A postdoctoral position for a two-year project period is requested to support and directly participate in the following tasks:

• Research Task 3: Determining the variability in the nutritional composition and potential health value of the two main farmed and consumed aquatic food products in the state, including one fish species (tilapia) and one crustacean (white shrimp), as well as the compound aquaculture feeds used to produce them.
• Research Task 4: Improve the nutritional profile and resulting potential health value of fish and shrimp through feed enrichment with functional ingredients and feeding management strategies.

The schedule points for Tasks 3 and 4 have been met as expected and were presented in the annual report submitted with this request. However, the hiring of a new fellow is necessary for the next project periods, during which Tasks 3 and 4 will be left without a dedicated fellow.

In this next phase, the postdoctoral fellow will actively participate and share responsibility with the principal investigators in the technical development of several specific tasks, using high technical skills to support the center’s mission. The postdoctoral fellow will understand the alliance between universities, government institutions, and companies involved in aquatic feed nutrition research and the fish production sector and will leverage the available research assets for further research.

The postdoctoral fellow will co-lead fieldwork for this next period on farms (Task 3), being available and critically aware of the challenges involved. This task will require independence and motivation to generate relevant information in a timely manner. This initial and fundamental task must include networking ability to interact with project leaders, the visiting researcher, and local stakeholders in the aquaculture sector. This practice may allow for optimal postdoctoral performance in the project and more opportunities in the field.

For Task 4, the postdoctoral fellow is expected to have knowledge of how to conduct feeding trials with shrimp and fish species (Ubatuba and São José do Rio Preto), obtain and analyze feed ingredients, and prepare experimental diets. The fellow will also be responsible for sampling and analyzing fish and shrimp specimens.

In addition to the trials already conducted, new experiments are planned with partner companies, covering topics such as the nutritional enrichment of tilapia and shrimp involving nutrients such as: omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium, chromium, cholesterol, phytosterols, etc.

Deadline for application is June 15, 2025.

To apply, send CV, intention letter and one recommendation letter from a researcher in the field to Prof. Daniel Lemos, dellemos@usp.br.

Position starting date is August 1, 2025.