Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Location: Stirling Campus

Contract type: Fixed term for 6 months                

The Post

The Institute of Aquaculture (IoA), Faculty of Natural Sciences is offering a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) position aimed at validating operational indicators of consciousness in tropical prawns (Penaeus vannamei). This research is part of a wider research project entitled ‘Optimisation of stunning practices from an animal welfare perspective in tropical prawns (Penaeus vannamei)’ funded by Open Philanthropy (www.openphilanthropy.org ) in collaboration with The Shrimp Welfare Project (www.shrimpwelfareproject.org ) and Benchmark Genetics (www.bmkgenetics.com ).

The farming of decapod crustaceans is a key economic driver in many countries, with production reaching around 9.4 million tonnes (USD 69.3 billion) in 2018. These efforts are currently dominated by the farming of Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, which translates into approximately 167 billion farmed P. vannamei being harvested annually. From a welfare perspective, increasing attention is being paid to decapod crustaceans, which include tropical prawns, lobsters and prawns. While legislation exist for their humane slaughter in several countries our knowledge on the efficacy of stunning protocols prior to dispatching is very limited and mainly based on crude behavioural observations. This issue is linked to the current lack of data and understanding on recording neural insensibility in crustaceans. In this project, we aim at validating behavioural indicators associated with the neural insensibility in tropical prawns. Current funding (phase I; laboratory trials) is available for 6 months although there is a possibility that this project will continue with a phase II (18-24 months duration) in which the research will move towards the optimisation of stunning practices in commercial farms (field trials).

Description of Duties

The successful applicant will be expected to take an active role in experiments on live prawns at the University of Stirling following local Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body regulations. This will involve:

• Working in aquarium facilities at the University of Stirling
• Work with live and dead prawns
• Maintaining, developing and using electrical stunning and a system to record neurological activity (similar to EEG in vertebrates)

Essential Criteria

• PhD in an appropriate discipline, which can include decapod physiology/biology, animal welfare or neurobiology
• Working with aquatic animal species
• Knowledge in EEG
• Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding as well as to peers using high level skills and a range of media

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | University of Stirling