Internship - Nutrition and Food Systems (Seaweed & Aquatic Foods) - WorldFish

OVERVIEW

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.

Scope of Work

We are seeking a motivated and capable student intern to lead the analyses of data for an 8-months internship. The intern will conduct data analysis culminating in a submitted publication on Contribution of Seaweed Consumption to nutrient adequacy in Timor-Leste and Eastern Indonesia diets and potential impact on micronutrient deficiencies and a set of policy recommendations derived.

Background

Seaweed collection and cultivation, particularly of Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma denticulatu, is important for livelihoods, often managed by women and smallholder families (Anicia Q. Hurtado, 2019; Diego Valderrama, 2013). Among coastal communities in Timor-Leste and eastern Indonesia, households indeed rely on small-scale fisheries and seaweed farming for income and food ( Schut et al., 2025). In terms of nutrition, seaweed is rich in iodine, calcium, iron, and zinc; micronutrients that are often deficient in rural diets (Golden et al., 2021; MacArtain et al., 2007).

There is however a dearth of quantitative evidence on how much seaweed people consume or its contribution to nutrient adequacy for different age groups. Such information would be useful to inform nutrition sensitive policy decisions in promotion of seaweed cultivation. Recently collected nationally representative data on consumption of aquatic foods in Timor-Leste and nutrition surveys collected among women of reproductive age in six coastal communities in Timor-Leste and West Timor (Indonesia), paired with seaweed laboratory analyses data from Timor Leste and West Timor, now make it possible to assess seaweed’s nutritional contribution.

Responsibilities

• Clean, organize and analyse dietary intake data to quantify seaweed consumption across different population groups in Timor-Leste and eastern Indonesia.
• Conduct nutrient adequacy assessments using dietary and laboratory composition data for key micronutrients (iodine, calcium, iron, zinc).
• Lead the preparation of a peer-reviewed manuscript for submission to an international journal.
• Translate analytical findings into clear, policy-relevant messages and recommendations.
• Contribute to briefing materials and summaries for policy and programmatic audiences.
• Participate in regular meetings with the research team to discuss progress and refine analyses.
• Design and refine a study methodology to map SPF trade flows and conduct value chain analysis.
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review to inform the study design and analytical framework.
• Map actors, trade volumes, routes, markets, and processing hubs within the SPF value chain.
• Collect field data, including fisher surveys and key informant interviews (KIIs) with value chain stakeholders.
• Support the use of GPS trackers or other technologies to monitor fish movements (where feasible).
• Analyze primary and secondary data, including trade volumes, price variations, and seasonal trends.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and trade-offs between regional trade and local food and nutrition security.
• Contribute to the drafting of a research report and policy recommendations.
• Support policy engagement and dissemination activities.

Expected Outputs

• Scientific manuscript.
• Policy brief summarizing key findings.
• Spatial maps highlighting nutrition opportunity zones.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

• First evidence of seaweed’s nutritional role in Timor-Leste and West Timor.
• Strengthened research capacity.
• Evidence base for nutrition-sensitive blue economy policies.
• Enhanced visibility of seaweed as a sustainable nutrient source.

Timeline

• Months 1–2: Data cleaning and harmonization.
• Months 3–4: Data analysis and mapping.
• Months 5–7: Manuscript and policy brief preparation.
• Month 8: Dissemination and submission for publication.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD (completed or near completion) in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, Agricultural/Resource Economics, Environmental Science, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated academic training in quantitative research methods, dietary assessment, nutrition epidemiology, food systems analysis, or spatial analysis/GIS.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing dietary intake or nutrition survey data
• Strong quantitative skills using R, Stata, or similar statistical software
• Understanding of nutrient adequacy assessment and micronutrients
• Ability to work independently on data analysis and write clearly for academic audiences
• Interest in nutrition-sensitive food systems, aquatic foods, or livelihoods

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with nationally representative surveys or multi-country datasets.
• Experience with spatial analysis and mapping (e.g., GIS, QGIS, ArcGIS).
• Experience translating research into policy briefs or engaging with policy and development audiences.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading scientific writing for peer-reviewed journal publications (e.g., thesis chapters, submitted or published papers)

Benefits

This position is an excellent opportunity to gain experience with an international research organization and contribute to the development of a food- and nutrition-secure future.