Aquaculture R&D Internship

APPLICATIONS ARE ONLY OPEN TO STUDENTS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE NETHERLANDS AND EU COUNTRIES

Dive into the Future of Sustainable Seafood with The Kingfish Company!

Background

The Kingfish Company is a pioneering producer of high-quality, sustainably farmed Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) using Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology. Our land-based facility in Kats, the Netherlands, operates entirely on renewable electricity, allowing us to maintain excellent water quality and fish welfare without the use of antibiotics. Innovation and responsible aquaculture are at the core of everything we do. To support ongoing research and innovation, our R&D department offers a hands-on trainee internship for motivated students who want to gain practical experience in modern aquaculture systems.

Goal

As an Aquaculture R&D trainee, you will work closely with our research team to contribute to a variety of experimental and operational projects. These include (commercial) feeding trials, supporting our breeding program, evaluating the effects of environmental factors on fish growth and welfare, and testing new approaches in fish husbandry and system management. This internship will provide valuable experience in applied aquaculture research, including experimental design, data collection and analysis, and day-to-day operations within RAS systems.

Key tasks

• Support the setup and execution of R&D trials (e.g. feeding, breeding, or environmental studies);
• Assist with data collection, sampling, and documentation;
• Participate in daily fish husbandry activities, including feeding, grading, and monitoring;
• Contribute to the maintenance of RAS systems and water quality management;
• Collaborate with staff and other interns to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Our Offer

• Experience: Work alongside an elite team of aquaculture experts within an international setting.
• Growth: Join a hyper-growth company leading the next generation of tech-driven sustainable aquaculture.
• Community: Collaborate with other passionate interns and colleagues from diverse departments.
• Compensation: Interns can choose between free housing provided near the company for the duration of the internship, or a financial contribution of €20 per worked day if accommodation is not required. Travel expenses for commuting are reimbursed at a standard rate of €0.23 per kilometre.

About You

Student profile

We welcome applications from MBO, HBO, or WO students in aquaculture, animal sciences, biology, marine biology, or a related field. You are curious about sustainable fish farming, willing to work hands-on, and eager to learn from experienced professionals in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Strong communication skills in English and the ability to work independently as well as in a team are important.

• Education: Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an aquaculture-related field.
• Commitment: Available for a full-time internship for at least 4 - 6 months. Start date: early 2026.
• Mindset: Hands-on, eager to learn, and ready to dive into the world of aquaculture.

Join us at The Kingfish Company and be part of a team that's redefining the future of seafood. Apply now and take the plunge into a sea of opportunities!

The Kingfish Company

The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. We produce the yellowtail kingfish (also known as Ricciola/Hiramasa/Greater Amberjack), a highly versatile premium fish species, well known in Italian and Asian fusion cuisines.

Our operation is based on three core principles: sustainability, respect for our fish, and the environment. These key principles are at the heart of our design, activity, and technology decisions. Production of our fish is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which create the ideal growth environment for kingfish, offer optimal biosecurity, and limit the environmental impact. Animal welfare is paramount and our fish are grown without the use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100% renewable energy, sourced from wind, solar, and biogas, and the company’s facilities operate on seawater to avoid wasting precious fresh water. Current annual production capacity at our Kingfish Zeeland facility in the Netherlands is 1,500 tons of high-quality and high-value Yellowtail Kingfish. Expansion is underway and capacity in the Netherlands will reach 3,500 tons in the second half of 2022. In the US, permitting for the company’s approximate 8,500 tons capacity facility is progressing as planned, with production start scheduled for the second half of 2023.

We are a fast-growing company with multiple large-scale expansion projects currently underway and we are looking forward to welcoming new people into our team and exciting future.