Are you an aquaculture professional passionate about evidence-based solutions and improving the lives of farmed fishes? You might be the Research & Development Manager we’re looking for.

 

Fish Welfare Initiative is hiring a Research & Development Manager to lead rigorous, field-based studies that inform our interventions and help us scale our impact on fish welfare across India. This role is only open to candidates who have the right to work in India.

 

Application Deadline: August 13, 2025. Apply here.

This is an on-site full-time role in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.

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About Fish Welfare Initiative (FWI)

Fish Welfare Initiative is an animal welfare organization that focuses on one of the most numerous and neglected groups of farmed animals: farmed fishes.

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We work to improve fish welfare by developing and implementing scalable, cost-effective, and evidence-based interventions. Our main program, the Alliance for Responsible Aquaculture (ARA), collaborates with fish farmers in Andhra Pradesh to improve water quality and reduce stocking densities. Alongside this, our Research & Development department explores new interventions to identify the most effective ways to help fishes.

Right now, we are in an intervention-development phase—running one core program while conducting research to determine the best strategies for large-scale impact. We aim to transition to a program scaling stage by 2026.

 

You can learn more about our work on our blog and website.

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How You Will Make a Difference

The Research & Development Manager (R&D Manager) will lead and/or support the implementation of projects so that FWI’s interventions—current and future—are informed by rigorous evidence.

 

The R&D Manager will provide insight and technical support during  the design and implementation of studies, helping to contextualize the set-up of studies to the realities of Indian aquaculture, and supporting all aspects during study implementation. They will manage selected studies, ensuring studies are conducted in a timely and quality fashion, and that they achieve their expected objectives.

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Key Responsibilities

1 - Obtaining evidence to inform programmatic decision-making

A. Selection of studies: Support the selection of studies designed to test new—or improved—theories of change, and/or to improve the knowledge base around fish welfare.

 

B. Planning of studies: Lead and/or support the planning of selected studies designed to inform programmatic decision-making for FWI, including developing key documents (e.g. protocols, budgets, logistical plans, etc) and engaging key stakeholders necessary for advancing projects. 

 

C. Implementation of studies: Lead and/or support the implementation of selected studies designed to inform programmatic decision-making for FWI, ensuring that the studies are conducted in a scientifically rigorous manner and that project budgets are spent effectively.

 

D. Data management: Develop appropriate data management systems for managing data for each study. Conduct/oversee data entry, ensuring accuracy and quality of data input. Conduct/support data analysis as needed.
 

E. Dissemination of results: Lead and/or support the reporting and dissemination of results from studies, through reports (intended for internal and/or external dissemination), scientific publications, and/or blog posts.

 

2 - Project Management

A. Annual work planning: Support the development of the R&D Department’s annual work plan. Regularly update the annual work plan to indicate progress/delays. 

 

B. Project-specific work planning: Develop project-specific work plans, indicating tasks and realistic timelines. Revise work plans as needed to respond to threats and/or delays.

 

C. Budgeting and finances: Support the development of annual or longer budgeting for the R&D Department. Provide monthly updates on project expenditure.
 

D. Goal setting: Support the setting of the R&D Department’s annual objectives and key results (OKRs), and associated quarterly key results (QKRs) to show progress towards OKRs.

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3 - People management

A. Staff management: Manage project associate(s) and/or other staff as necessary, ensuring their work is carried out in a high-quality manner. Recruitment and oversight of short-term hires, including day laborers, as needed by particular projects.

B. Stakeholder engagement/management: Build and maintain relationships with
 

4 - Cross-functional support

A. Support other programmatic departments: Support other FWI programmatic departments, as requested.
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Requirements

• Nationality: Indian nationals.

• Previous experience: 

  • Experience leading/supporting research projects related to aquaculture. 

  • Experience engaging farmers and/or other stakeholders in the aquaculture value chain. 

  • Prior roles with well-recognised aquaculture organisations/companies would be preferred.  

• Years of experience: Minimum 3 years “real world” experience in aquaculture. 

• Level of qualifications: At least a Bachelor's degree in an aquaculture-related field. Direct experience in aquaculture may compensate if there is no formal qualification in fisheries/aquaculture.

• Technical expertise: Technical knowledge about fish and/or aquaculture practices.

• Languages: Fluent in English. Fluency in Telugu is preferred, but not a requirement.​​
   

The Fine Print

• Position Status: Full-time.

• Start Date: ASAP, with some flexibility.

• Location: Onsite in our office in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, and other field locations.

• Salary range: INR 50,000 - INR 90,000 (set based on need and experience)

• Benefits: Apart from working with an extremely dedicated team on a vastly neglected field, FWI offers several employee benefits:

  • Accommodation Allowance: Paid for accommodation or allowance for employees living in field locations. 

  • Reimbursement of up to 25,000 INR annually to purchase health insurance.

  • Free weekday lunch at our field offices.

  • Generous paid time off (up to 40 days personal and caregiver leave and ~20 Indian holidays).

  • Maternal and paternal leave.

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​How to Apply

Complete this application form by August 13, 2025. Note that you will need to be signed in with a Google account in order to complete it.​