The SwitchFloc Grant Agreement is a project funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, aimed at training the next generation of professionals in innovative and sustainable aquaculture systems based on Biofloc Technology (BFT). The project provides a highly international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral research environment, fostering close collaboration between academic institutions and industry partners.
We are currently inviting applications for a PhD position entitled:
“Understanding the molecular ecology of biofloc microalgae and microbiomes”
This PhD project will investigate the molecular ecology of biofloc, dense and beneficial microbial communities that play a central role in waste recycling, water quality stabilization, and animal welfare in aquaculture systems. By understanding which microorganisms and microbial functions best support system performance, the project aims to develop knowledge-driven strategies to improve the management and stability of biofloc-based aquaculture.
Building on UiT’s leading role within the SwitchFloc project—particularly in the Animal Welfare work package—the PhD candidate will develop and apply advanced bioinformatics pipelines for shotgun metagenomics. These analyses will enable high-resolution characterization of biofloc community taxonomy, functional gene repertoires, and genome-resolved architectures, across both experimental setups and real farm conditions.
In addition, the project will employ metatranscriptomic approaches to perform multi-kingdom taxonomic profiling (including bacteria and microalgae) and to determine which genome-encoded functions are actively expressed under different biofloc maintenance strategies and aquaculture practices. This integrated omics framework will support data-driven approaches to steer biofloc composition toward improved animal welfare and system performance.
Expected outcomes include the development of a network-wide Biofloc Characterization database and a curated list of beneficial biofloc microorganisms, supported by genomic and transcriptional evidence. The PhD candidate will also benefit from specialized training and secondments, integrating omics technologies, aquaculture sampling, and data management across the SwitchFloc consortium.
If you are motivated to join an international, interdisciplinary research team and develop your PhD within an international excellence framework, we encourage you to apply by submitting the required documentation to hans.c.bernstein@uit.no.
👉 Click on the PDF to learn more about the call and application process.
Doctoral Candidate 5-Understanding the molecular ecology of biofloc microalgae and microbiomes
