Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Overview

The University of Stirling is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in its Institute of Aquaculture, within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, to work on an Innovate UK AgriScale funded project called AI Camera Analytics for Behaviour, Welfare and Harvest Management in Aquaculture. The industry partner is Ace Aquatec, and the post offers a chance to help shape new welfare technologies.

The work will validate a novel batch electrical stunner for Pacific whiteleg shrimp, rainbow trout and carp, developing camera-derived welfare indicators of insensibility that AI can detect, for use in commercial field trials. A linked biomass-camera study in farmed Atlantic salmon will test underwater camera set-ups for AI detection of sea lice, wounds and individual fish identification from skin and spot patterns. The postholder will lead the development of behavioural welfare indicators from video, coordinate laboratory recording campaigns and human annotation of welfare states, and work with Ace Aquatec's engineers to specify, train and evaluate computer vision models. The role also covers overseeing field deployments with UK aquaculture producers and supporting the salmon camera study. The research contributes to goals such as UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water.

Requirements

Essential criteria are a PhD in a relevant discipline, experience in fish welfare and behaviour, experience in image or video analysis including AI and computer vision tools, experience with R or Python for data analysis, and experience designing and running laboratory-based animal behaviour studies. Experience in animal behaviour research on aquatic species is ideal, along with a working knowledge of experimental design for welfare science and an interest in turning research into technology for commercial aquaculture.

What you get

The full-time post is fixed term until 30 September 2027, with pay of £38,784 to £46,049 per annum. The postholder will contribute to high-quality publications, help build a strong research culture and support the training of research staff and students working on related projects.

Key dates

The closing date is 18 October 2026.