PhD Programme

SAIC is launching a PhD funding call for researchers working in all areas relevant to aquaculture. One PhD will be funded in this call, covering Scotland’s green recovery, the blue economy, fish health & welfare and environmental modelling. Applications from academia must have a least one industry partner.

SAIC plans to match-fund one PhD in 2022, on a topic aligned with the needs of the industry. We will fund up to 50% of the PhD, to a maximum of £45,000 over three years. Total studentship costs are expected to cover all fees and stipends, as well as associated running costs such as bench fees and consumables.

The standard studentship duration is expected to be three years, or up to three and a half years where needed to accommodate industry placement activities. The studentships will start no later than autumn 2022.

Industry partners are expected to contribute resources to the project, e.g. costs associated with undertaking trials, sampling, or analysis at partner locations.

Application forms are available on our resources page (SAIC PhD project proposal form 2022 and SAIC PhD funding template 2022) and the closing date for applications is 25 March 2022. 

Below are some examples of previous SAIC PhD programme projects. Three of the PhD projects focused on fish health issues and one addressed the needs of mussel farmers, creating collaborative partnerships between academia and industry and all with the capacity to progress the sustainable growth of Scottish aquaculture. 

PLEASE NOTE: all four of these PhD positions have been filled.