Postdoctoral position in animal welfare risks of feeding red seaweed to dairy cows

The Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, calls for applications for a full-time postdoctoral position. The two-year position is available from 1 February 2027, or soon thereafter. The position will be in the research unit Behaviour, stress and welfare (BSW).

Dairy cattle contribute substantially to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through enteric methane production, making the identification of effective nutritional mitigation strategies an important area of research. While the feed additive Bovaer has received considerable attention for its methane-reducing effects, concerns regarding animal health and welfare have led to increasing interest in alternative solutions, including seaweed-based feed additives. The seaweed Asparagopsis spp. has shown significant methane-mitigating potential; however, its use has also raised animal welfare concerns. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the animal welfare effects of seaweed-based feed additives.

Research tasks

• Evaluating the effects of seaweed-based feed additives on the behaviour and welfare of dairy cattle.
• Investigating behavioural indicators of discomfort and pain associated with feed management.
• Validating welfare assessment measures through experimental approaches, including pharmacological interventions.
• Contributing to scientific publications and dissemination of research results.
• Participating in knowledge exchange activities with public authorities and industry stakeholders.
• Contributing to teaching and supervision of students at the bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels.

Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate who has:

• A PhD degree or equivalent in biology, animal science, veterinary science, or a related field, and research experience in animal behaviour and welfare.
• A strong interest in strategies aimed at reducing the climate impact of dairy production through feeding management.
• At least a basic understanding of feeding management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate scientific research results effectively.
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research environment.
• For non-Scandinavian candidates, a commitment to learning Danish, including reading, writing, and speaking, is expected during the employment period.

Contact

Further information on the position may be obtained from Professor Margit Bak Jensen, phone: +4522365482, email: [email protected]

What we offer

• A well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment and animal experimental facilities
• An informal and multicultural research environment with high professionalism and close collaboration and networking activities
• A workplace characterized by equality and a good work-life balance, and an open discussion across different fields of research.

The candidate will have the opportunity to be trained and gain experience in:

• Teaching and supervision of students at the BSc and MSc level through active involvement in teaching in animal science and in the veterinary science programme.
• Research-based consultancy to authorities, where it is relevant.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, AU Viborg,
Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, and the area of employment is Aarhus University (AU) with related departments.

Living in Denmark

Please visit the international staff website: https://internationalstaff.au.dk/prearrival/ for information about arriving to and living in Denmark for both the applicants and their potential families.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications - and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, - the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.