Prospective PhD Student in Ornamental Aquaculture

Job Details

Start: August 10, 2026 (Fall semester) pending successful funding

Program: Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Deadline: January 4, 2026. Review begins immediately and continues until a suitable candidate is identified.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from prospective PhD students to compete for a four-year research fellowship provided by the University of Florida.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from prospective PhD students to compete for a four-year research fellowship provided by the University of Florida.

Description: Domestic aquaculture production of ornamental species is dominated by Florida growers with a reported farm gate value of $172 million in 2021. However, pressures from fluctuating market demand, competition with foreign importation, and increasing regulatory compliance threatens the continued growth and resiliency of this valuable segment of agriculture. Optimization of production protocols and diversification of culture species are of great interest to stakeholders in the freshwater and marine ornamental industries. The successful applicant will investigate critical gaps in knowledge regarding captive reproduction, larval culture, and production techniques for economically valuable species. 

Location: This position will be located at the University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (http://tal.ifas.ufl.edu), 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 (https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu).

Requirements

Qualifications:

• 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   

Final candidates will be contacted and required to submit formal applications to the UF Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Department by January 31st.

Contact Information