PhD in Evolutionary Ecology

4 year PhD Position to work in the multidisciplinary project “Cognitive fish welfare” within the Behavioural Ecology chair group at the Animal Science Department, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Wageningen Livestock Research, of Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands./nThe PhD project will investigate which aspects of environmental enrichment aqua cultured fish species (both marine and freshwater) prefer when given a choice, and whether adjusting holding conditions to these preferences improves fish welfare./nThe candidate will develop and apply choice assays and use cognitive techniques and behavioural and physiological indicators of welfare to compare fish reared in preferred enriched environments with those kept under standard aquaculture conditions./nThe work will be primarily laboratory-based but may include research visits to aquaculture facilities across Europe./nLocation: Wageningen, Netherlands.