We’re looking for a PhD candidate

Call for a PhD candidate *1

Project title: In ovo immune stimulation — A tool to improve fish larvae welfare

Supervisors: Dr. Ana Rocha (CIIMAR), Dr. Benjamín Costas (CIIMAR) and a second co-supervisor (from IATS-CSIC or University of Maryland; to be defined based on the selected applicant main interests)

Research Topic: The high and unpredictable mortality of fish larvae in the first weeks after hatching remains a challenging problem for the aquaculture sector that needs to be solved. Both scientific evidence and experience in hatcheries, for a variety of fish species, support the hypothesis that detrimental fish–microbe interactions are the cause of these problems. Among the recommended strategies to prevent these health problems is the induction of larvae immune capacity. This study will explore the delivery of immunostimulants directly to fish eggs as an innovative approach to increase disease resistance of newly hatched larvae and influence an organism’s subsequent fitness and production success in an aquaculture context.  This research idea will be funded by a recently funded project (COMPETE2030-FEDER-00790700, Projeto nº 16725).

Main methodologies: In vitro fertilization, egg quality and larval survival evaluations; Biochemical conjugation of DNA with cell penetrating peptides;  In ovo transactivation assays; Biotransformation assays; Fluorescence microscopy; Microbiology techniques; Infection trials of fish larvae; Determination of immune parameters; Spatially resolved transcriptomics analysis by multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH).

Requisites: Candidates should have a competitive CV (e.g. marks, scientific/ professional record) in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or Veterinary Sciences. A Master degree*2 will be a plus. Candidates should have excellent communication skills (orally and written) in English.

Application: Interested candidates should send an e-mail to anasantosrocha@ciimar.up.pt with a detailed CV, a motivation letter as well as the name and contact of two references. Deadline for expression of interest: April 7th.

*1 Dependent on FCT call for PhD fellowships (application deadline on April 16th https://www.fct.pt/concursos/concurso-bolsas-de-doutoramento-2025-linha-de-candidatura-geral)

*2 In the event academic degrees were awarded by a foreign higher education institution, said degrees must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16th August. Please consult http://www.dges.gov.pt for further details.