Research Intern (Fish-Based Products and Nutrition)

About WorldFish 

WorldFish is an 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 and other aquatic foods for their livelihoods and nutrition. Our work in countries advances progress on multiple 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation, with a vision of healthy people, healthy planet and shared prosperity. 

About Project

Aquatic foods are among the most nutrient-dense foods available and can play a critical role in improving dietary quality and addressing micronutrient deficiencies among nutritionally vulnerable populations (Golden et al., 2021). Over the past decade, WorldFish and its partners have developed and tested a diverse range of fish-based products, including fish powders, dried fish products, fish chutneys, porridges, noodles, cookies, and fish snacks. These products have been designed to improve access to nutritious aquatic foods among target groups such as infants and young children during the first 1,000 days of life, pregnant and lactating women, and school-aged children, while also supporting rural livelihoods and women’s economic participation. Fish-based product initiatives have been implemented across multiple countries and contexts, generating valuable experience on product development, nutritional quality, consumer acceptability, production models, and pathways to scale.

In 2024, WorldFish convened an e-learning event that brought together teams from seven countries to document experiences, lessons learned, and research priorities related to fish-based products. The discussions informed the development of the brief Fish-based Products in Diverse Aquatic Food Systems: Innovating with Product Development to Tackle Malnutrition and Improve Livelihoods https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12348/6115, which synthesized more than a decade of WorldFish experience across 21 projects. The review highlighted the diversity of products developed, their potential contributions to nutrition and livelihoods, and the need for stronger evidence on affordability, market integration, scalability, food safety, and impact.

About Position

We are seeking a motivated and capable Master's student intern to undertake a comparative assessment of fish-based products developed through WorldFish-supported initiatives. Building on findings from the 2024 WorldFish brief and the accompanying e-learning event, the internship will involve compiling, validating, and synthesizing information from multiple country programmes. Particular attention will be given to documenting product formulation, nutritional characteristics, target populations, production systems and distribution, market integration pathways, and evidence of scaling. The intern will work closely with WorldFish staff across country offices and will produce a comparative inventory and assessment matrix as well as a technical report and identifying cross-country lessons, evidence gaps, and opportunities for future investment in nutrition-sensitive aquatic food systems.

The successful candidate will be responsible to:

• Review and compile existing information on fish-based products developed through WorldFish initiatives.
• Organize and synthesize data on product characteristics including ingredients, nutritional composition, target populations, and intended nutrition outcomes.
• Document production models, buyers and end-markets, distribution channels, levels of market integration and commercialization, and evidence of adoption and scaling.
• Engage with WorldFish staff across country offices to validate and complement available information.
• Conduct a targeted literature and document review to inform the analytical framework and comparative assessment.
• Develop a standardized inventory and assessment matrix for fish-based products.
• Identify common approaches, lessons learned, evidence gaps, and opportunities for future investment.
• Analyze and synthesize findings across countries and product types.
• Lead the preparation of a technical report and comparative inventory/assessment matrix.
• Contribute to dissemination activities and presentation of findings.
• Participate in regular meetings with the supervision team to discuss progress and refine analyses.

Requirements

This opportunity will be suitable for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• MSc (completed or near completion) in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, Food Systems, Agricultural Economics, International Development, Fisheries, Aquaculture, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated academic training in nutrition, food systems, value chain analysis, market systems, research methods, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in data compilation, literature reviews, and synthesis of information from multiple sources.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, including the ability to manage, analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information.
• Understanding of nutrition-sensitive food systems, aquatic foods, value chains, and/or market systems.
• Ability to work independently and communicate findings clearly through technical reports, briefs, and other written outputs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with multidisciplinary teams across different country contexts.
• Interest in nutrition, fisheries, aquaculture, food systems, and international development research.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic foods, nutrition, or food systems in low- and middle-income countries.
• Experience preparing technical reports, policy briefs, or other research communication products.

Expected Outputs

• Comparative inventory and assessment matrix of fish-based products developed through WorldFish initiatives.
• Technical report.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

• Consolidated evidence on fish-based products developed by WorldFish and their market integration pathways.
• Evidence base for nutrition-sensitive fisheries, inclusive markets, and school meals policies.
• Enhanced visibility of fish-based products as scalable nutrient-rich foods.

Timeline

• Months 1–2: Data review and compilation, engagement with WorldFish country teams.
• Months 3–4: Preparation of the inventory and assessment matrix, and technical report.
• Month 5: Finalization, dissemination, and submission of outputs for publication.

Benefits

• This position is an excellent opportunity to gain information and experience with an international research organization.
• The intern will have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with experienced researchers across multiple countries and disciplines.
• A monthly stipend.

Location and Duration

The successful interns will be based at WorldFish Headquarters in Penang, Malaysia. The internship is scheduled to commence in August 2026 and will run for a duration of up to 5 months. This opportunity is open exclusively to Malaysian applicants only. Interviews are expected to take place in July 2026, and only shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited to attend the interview.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 23:59 (MYT), 12 July 2026.

Location: The post holder will be based in Penang, Malaysia.

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 

Over 40% of WorldFish staff is women with some 30 nationalities represented and contributing to its dynamic multicultural work environment. WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diverse 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.

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