Internship (Biofortification of Fish)

About WorldFish   

“WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.worldfishcenter.org” 

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major global health challenge, particularly in populations that depend heavily on animal source foods. While biofortification efforts in crops and terrestrial animals have shown significant success, aquatic food systems remain underexplored. This project aims to initiate research on the biofortification of fish to enhance micronutrient content, ultimately contributing to improved nutrition in vulnerable populations.

Scope of Work

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented student intern to support a systematic review on the biofortification of animal source foods, with a focus on aquatic foods. The intern will work closely with the project lead to synthesize existing literature, identify knowledge gaps, and contribute to drafting a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication.

The successful intern will be responsible to:

• Conduct a systematic literature review on biofortification of animal source foods, particularly aquatic foods.
• Extract, organize, and analyze data (if required) from selected publications.
• Contribute to the development of a conceptual framework for fish biofortification.
• Prepare a manuscript tentatively titled "Biofortification of Fish: Potential for Enhancing Micronutrient Concentrations in Aquatic Foods."
• Participate in regular update meetings and contribute to discussions on research directions and next steps.

 Expected Outputs

• Annotated bibliography and evidence matrix summarizing the systematic review findings.
• Contribution to a peer-reviewed manuscript targeted for submission by December 2025.

Requirements

• Current enrolment in a MSc. /PhD program in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, Fisheries Science, or a related field.
• Strong skills in academic research, literature review, and scientific writing.
• Familiarity with nutrition science, micronutrient biology, or aquaculture is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Shows good self-initiative & able to work independently.

Benefits

• This position is an excellent opportunity to gain experience with an international research organization.
• The intern will also have the chance to interact and collaborate with staff from global and country offices and partners.
• A monthly stipend and a health insurance will be provided.

Location and Duration

The intern can work remotely from home country. The successful candidate should be available to commence the internship as soon as possible until 31 December 2025. This position is open to national and international applicants.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• A cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining interest and relevant experience.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A writing sample (e.g., excerpt of a paper, project report).
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

 The position shall remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment 

WorldFish has seven offices across Asia, Africa and the Pacific, with more than 400 staff and 27 nationalities who contribute to a dynamic multicultural work environment. 

WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion is valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions. 

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.