Postdoctoral researcher | ReliefWeb

Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Location: Bangladesh or Malaysia

Registration deadline: June 15 2022

Type of Contract: 2 ½ years FCDD (possibility of renewal depending on performance and budget)

Language(s) required: English (mother tongue/fluid writing and oral expression)

About WorldFish

WorldFish is an international non-profit research and innovation organization that reduces hunger, malnutrition and poverty in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. For more than 45 years, our work on sustainable aquaculture and fisheries has improved the lives of millions of women, men and young people.

Fish and other aquatic foods grown 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 ensures that the way we produce and use these foods today means an abundant future for generations to come.

Our evidence-based solutions span from households to global policies and cover six interrelated themes: nutrition, gender, climate, sustainability, economics 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 WorldFish’s One Health Program in Bangladesh. The main objective of this position is to manage the research activities of the One Health Initiative in Bangladesh under the direction of the WorldFish Focal Point for the One Health Initiative.

The candidate will design and oversee assessments of major aquatic farming systems from a unique health perspective, including aspects of antimicrobial resistance and food safety. Lead the design and implementation of population-based surveys to understand drivers of antimicrobial agent (AMA) use. Implement field interventions to understand the cost-benefits of using or not using AMA in aquatic farming systems. The successful candidate should 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 research and development partners, including private sector partners where appropriate, and engage in developing proposals. extend support for research activities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Design and oversee assessments of major aquatic farming systems from a unique health perspective, including aspects of antimicrobial resistance and food safety.
• Lead the design and implementation of population-based surveys to understand drivers of antimicrobial agent (AMA) use.
• Implement field interventions to understand the cost-benefits of using or not using AMA in aquatic farming systems. In particular, the post-doc:

1. (Co) Lead (with WP3 and WP4) those responsible for the design and implementation of field surveys, field intervention studies, collection and analysis of biological samples/d water for pathogens, AB residues and AMR in major carp/tilapia farming systems in Bangladesh.
2. Lead data collection, processing and writing of research papers.

• Publish research articles in quality scientific journals and ensure that research results are communicated to the wider scientific community and development practitioners.
• Help develop or develop new research proposals and projects.

Key requirements

• PhD (or equivalent) in microbiology, aquatic food systems, public health, food safety or similar.
• At least two years of practical work experience in aquatic food systems and aquatic microbiology.
• Good knowledge and experience of human health and food safety risk assessments in aquatic food systems, biosecurity in aquatic farming systems, aquatic microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, diagnosis of diseases and metagenomics.
• Understanding of recent WHO, OIE and FAO guidelines on health, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and safe water reuse.
• An emerging track record of relevant scientific publications and experience working on applied research in the area of ​​single health, aquatic animal health, antimicrobial resistance, microbial health risks in water and systems aquatic food.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and plan, organize, implement and monitor work activities with limited supervision.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Experience working in developing countries.

Desired skills and experience

• Experience working on aspects of AMR in aquatic food systems.
• Experience of undertaking field work in countries of WorldFish interest.
• Ability and desire to travel and spend time in the field.
• Ability to train and mentor young scientists and other research and/or development partners.

Salary and benefits

It’s a Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) post and WorldFish offers a competitive compensation package including comprehensive benefits, including (but not limited to) housing allowance*, relocation and repatriation assistance*, dependent education allowance* , home leave entitlement*, full insurance coverage for eligible staff and dependents, and pension/provident fund contribution.

Note: Items marked with * do not apply to staff recruited as home country internationals (nationals of the country of assignment). All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

Recruitment process

The position will be based at WorldFish Headquarters in Penang, Malaysia, Where Dhaka, Bangladesh.Interviews should take place in June 2022 and only shortlisted candidates will be notified and expected to attend the virtual interview. The successful candidate must be available to start as soon as possible for a first CDD of two and a half years (2 and a half years), with a high probability of contract renewal depending on performance and funding status. Due to the large number of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate any interest, but only shortlisted candidates will be notified.