The Research Unit on Biology of Organisms (Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology) of the University of Namur is searching a good candidate for a post-doctoral fellowship in fish nutrition. This fellowship will be for 2 years, related to a European Commission funded project (FAIR programme). The project is related to perch aquaculture in recirculating system and our laboratory is in charge of the nutritional aspect of perch culture. The project is starting in January 99, in collaboration with two other Belgian Universities (University of Liège and Ghent University), a French University (University of Nancy) and several private companies, one of these being a fish feed company.
Research on perch aquaculture in our laboratory started about 4 years ago, focusing on several aspects of perch feeding and nutrition. Currently, perch are fed trout diets. The protein content of trout diets is close to the requirements of perch but the problem is mainly related to the content of lipids, which is clearly above the requirements, and, to some extent, the tolerance of coolwater species such as perch or pike-perch. The consequences of feeding perch with high lipid content diets are the progressive fatty degenerescence of liver (hepatic steatosis) which, in a long term, probably limits the growth performances and decreases the health status of the fish.
The aim of the project is to determine the lipid and some essential fatty acid requirements of perch and to investigate the effects of different diets containing graded levels of lipids on their nutritional status.
To conduct this research, we are looking for a post-doctoral scientist having a good knowledge of fish nutrition, with, as an advantage, a specialization on lipid metabolism and fatty acid requirements. Experience in assessment of nutritional and health status is appreciated.
The grant will be about 60,000 BEF/month, free of taxes (except medical insurance, in charge of the grant holder - about 1,200 BEF/month).
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application with curriculum vitae to the following address:
Patrick Kestemont, PhD
Facultes Universitaires N.D. de la Paix,
Unite de Recherches en Biologie des Organismes
61, rue de Bruxelles,
B-5000 Namur
Belgium
phone : +3281724363
fax : +3281724420
E-mail: patrick.kestemont@fundp.ac.be