Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Apply

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Apply

The Post

The University of Stirling is seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow within its world-leading Institute of Aquaculture to work on the Innovate UK AgriScale-funded project AI Camera Analytics for Behaviour, Welfare and Harvest Management in Aquaculture. This appointment comes at an exciting time for individuals who want to help shape the development of novel welfare technologies alongside industry partners Ace Aquatec.

This post will validate a novel batch electrical stunner for Pacific whiteleg shrimp, rainbow trout and carp, developing camera-derived, AI-detectable welfare indicators of insensibility for use in commercial field trials. The work package also includes a linked biomass-camera study in farmed Atlantic salmon, testing underwater camera configurations for AI detection of sea lice, wounds and individual fish identification via skin/spot pattern.

The postholder will lead the development of behavioural welfare indicators from video footage, coordinate laboratory recording campaigns and human annotation of welfare states, and work closely with Ace Aquatec's engineering team to specify, train and evaluate AI/computer vision models. The role includes overseeing field deployments with UK aquaculture producers and supporting the associated salmon camera-testing study on sea lice, wounds and individual ID.

The successful applicant should demonstrate experience in animal behaviour research, ideally in aquatic species, together with practical skills in video-based behavioural analysis and/or applying computer vision or machine learning methods to biological data. Applicants should have good working knowledge of experimental design for welfare science and an interest in translating research into deployable technology for commercial aquaculture settings.

The IoA is contributing to positioning the University of Stirling as a global leader in providing transformative solutions for the sustainable expansion of the aquaculture sector, improving fish and shrimp welfare through precision technology and humane slaughter methods. This research contributes to this goal and to wider goals such as UN SDG 14, Life Below Water. Research on humane stunning, welfare assessment and non-invasive monitoring technologies across a range of innovative systems is critical to achieving these aims.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to the delivery of internationally excellent publications and to co-create a strong research culture, including supporting the training of research staff and students engaged in related welfare and aquaculture technology projects.

Description of Duties

Research

• Engage in individual and collaborative research as part of a team, delivering directly to the project objectives, and disseminate results through publication in high-impact journals and conference proceedings
• Design and conduct welfare-focused behavioural studies of target aquaculture species, including video-based data collection, annotation and analysis
• Contribute to the development and validation of AI/computer vision models for automated welfare assessment, working closely with the wider project team
• Support the validation and field testing of project technologies at commercial aquaculture sites
• Continually update knowledge, skills and understanding in the field or specialism
• Conduct literature and database searches, and contribute to the design of studies and analysis protocols
• Engage with the project team at Stirling and across industry partners, and contribute to collaborative decision-making in areas of research

Supervision and Training Support

• Contribute to the supervision of research students where aligned with project activities, assisting in the development of student research skills and providing direction, support and guidance
• Contribute to introductory training on research methods and analysis used within the project
• Support the assessment of student work and supervision of related projects

Communication, Networking and Outreach

• Communicate research findings and technical information clearly, orally, in writing and electronically, including through reports and publications
• Liaise with colleagues, students and industry partners
• Build internal and external networks to support knowledge exchange and future collaboration and funding opportunities
• Participate in the Faculty's engagement activities as required
• Participate in the administrative processes of the Division/Faculty/University
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in a relevant discipline
• Experience in fish welfare and behaviour
• Experience in image or video analysis, including using AI/computer vision tools
• Experience with R or Python for data analysis
• Experience designing and conducting laboratory-based animal behaviour studies
• Experience in writing papers for publication and report-writing
• Excellent time management skills including ability to prioritise workload
• UK compatible driving licence

Desirable Criteria

• Ideally have held at least one prior postdoctoral research position, or equivalent experience
• Experience in working with fish tracking systems and machine learning models
• Experience with commercial on on-farm field data collection in aquaculture settings
• Experience in oral presentations for conferences, workshops,
• Experience with electrical stunning, slaughter welfare or operational welfare indicators

Additional Information

Full time
Fixed term until 30 September 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 18 October 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing Monday 26 October 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

1. Managing self and personal skills
   Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
2. Delivering excellent service
   Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
3. Finding solutions
   Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
4. Embracing change
   Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
5. Using resources effectively
   Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
6. Engaging with the wider context
   Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
7. Developing self and others
   Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
8. Working together
   Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
9. Achieving Results
   Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 200 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver major University-led projects, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub and Scotland’s International Environment Centre. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number

FAC02145

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract

Posting End Date

18-Oct-2026

Location:

Stirling Campus

Salary

Grade7 £38,784 - £46,049 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Post

The University of Stirling is seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow within its world-leading Institute of Aquaculture to work on the Innovate UK AgriScale-funded project AI Camera Analytics for Behaviour, Welfare and Harvest Management in Aquaculture. This appointment comes at an exciting time for individuals who want to help shape the development of novel welfare technologies alongside industry partners Ace Aquatec.

This post will validate a novel batch electrical stunner for Pacific whiteleg shrimp, rainbow trout and carp, developing camera-derived, AI-detectable welfare indicators of insensibility for use in commercial field trials. The work package also includes a linked biomass-camera study in farmed Atlantic salmon, testing underwater camera configurations for AI detection of sea lice, wounds and individual fish identification via skin/spot pattern.

The postholder will lead the development of behavioural welfare indicators from video footage, coordinate laboratory recording campaigns and human annotation of welfare states, and work closely with Ace Aquatec's engineering team to specify, train and evaluate AI/computer vision models. The role includes overseeing field deployments with UK aquaculture producers and supporting the associated salmon camera-testing study on sea lice, wounds and individual ID.

The successful applicant should demonstrate experience in animal behaviour research, ideally in aquatic species, together with practical skills in video-based behavioural analysis and/or applying computer vision or machine learning methods to biological data. Applicants should have good working knowledge of experimental design for welfare science and an interest in translating research into deployable technology for commercial aquaculture settings.

The IoA is contributing to positioning the University of Stirling as a global leader in providing transformative solutions for the sustainable expansion of the aquaculture sector, improving fish and shrimp welfare through precision technology and humane slaughter methods. This research contributes to this goal and to wider goals such as UN SDG 14, Life Below Water. Research on humane stunning, welfare assessment and non-invasive monitoring technologies across a range of innovative systems is critical to achieving these aims.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to the delivery of internationally excellent publications and to co-create a strong research culture, including supporting the training of research staff and students engaged in related welfare and aquaculture technology projects.

Description of Duties

Research

• Engage in individual and collaborative research as part of a team, delivering directly to the project objectives, and disseminate results through publication in high-impact journals and conference proceedings
• Design and conduct welfare-focused behavioural studies of target aquaculture species, including video-based data collection, annotation and analysis
• Contribute to the development and validation of AI/computer vision models for automated welfare assessment, working closely with the wider project team
• Support the validation and field testing of project technologies at commercial aquaculture sites
• Continually update knowledge, skills and understanding in the field or specialism
• Conduct literature and database searches, and contribute to the design of studies and analysis protocols
• Engage with the project team at Stirling and across industry partners, and contribute to collaborative decision-making in areas of research

Supervision and Training Support

• Contribute to the supervision of research students where aligned with project activities, assisting in the development of student research skills and providing direction, support and guidance
• Contribute to introductory training on research methods and analysis used within the project
• Support the assessment of student work and supervision of related projects

Communication, Networking and Outreach

• Communicate research findings and technical information clearly, orally, in writing and electronically, including through reports and publications
• Liaise with colleagues, students and industry partners
• Build internal and external networks to support knowledge exchange and future collaboration and funding opportunities
• Participate in the Faculty's engagement activities as required
• Participate in the administrative processes of the Division/Faculty/University
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in a relevant discipline
• Experience in fish welfare and behaviour
• Experience in image or video analysis, including using AI/computer vision tools
• Experience with R or Python for data analysis
• Experience designing and conducting laboratory-based animal behaviour studies
• Experience in writing papers for publication and report-writing
• Excellent time management skills including ability to prioritise workload
• UK compatible driving licence

Desirable Criteria

• Ideally have held at least one prior postdoctoral research position, or equivalent experience
• Experience in working with fish tracking systems and machine learning models
• Experience with commercial on on-farm field data collection in aquaculture settings
• Experience in oral presentations for conferences, workshops,
• Experience with electrical stunning, slaughter welfare or operational welfare indicators

Additional Information

Full time
Fixed term until 30 September 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 18 October 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing Monday 26 October 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

1. Managing self and personal skills
   Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
2. Delivering excellent service
   Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
3. Finding solutions
   Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
4. Embracing change
   Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
5. Using resources effectively
   Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
6. Engaging with the wider context
   Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
7. Developing self and others
   Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
8. Working together
   Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
9. Achieving Results
   Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 200 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver major University-led projects, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub and Scotland’s International Environment Centre. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

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