Postdoctoral researcher position at the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University

The Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences invites applications for a position as a postdoctoral researcher in welfare assessment and monitoring of animal welfare at the population level (e.g. flock or farm).

The position is for three years and will commence on August 1, 2025, or soon thereafter. The position is within the research section Management and Modelling.  

The research section develops methods and tools for herd management to promote animal welfare, green transitions, and economic viability for a sustainable future. Furthermore, the section integrates, develops, and disseminates knowledge of farm animal management and the relationships between actors and animals. Researchers in the section teach BSc, MSc and PhDs in our animal and veterinary science programmes and conduct research-based public advice for authorities on animal welfare and health.

The research section is a dynamic multidisciplinary research group that includes animal scientists, veterinarians, economists, statisticians, and anthropologists.
 

The position

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to analyze and validate animal welfare indicators. These indicators will be incorporated into population-level monitoring (e.g., flock or farm) with the goal of supporting and informing animal welfare policy.
 

Your profile

You possess:

• Academic qualifications at the PhD level
• Research experience in either animal welfare assessment or monitoring/surveillance within an animal disease or animal production setting. 

Research tasks

• Analyzing protocols and data on animal welfare measures for the purpose of animal welfare monitoring
• Mapping the needs for animal welfare assessment and monitoring by stakeholders and competent authorities
• Contributing to publication and other relevant communication

The preferred candidate is expected to join and develop ongoing research within the research group Management and Modelling. Collaboration with stakeholders and authorities is part of the assignment as well as close collaboration within an international consortium.
 

Contact

Further information on the position may be obtained from Associate professor Mogens Agerbo Krogh, phone: +45 2365 9010, email: [email protected]
 

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.
 

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.
 

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 open discussions across different fields of research.
   

Who we are

Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences is well-known for its skilled and very innovative interdisciplinary research environments with high international impact. We perform world-class research, which contributes with solutions to solve essential societal challenges within the green transition: food production and veterinary medicine – nationally and globally.

The department generates novel research at the highest international level within sustainable food production, environment, climate, health and welfare for animals and humans. The activities form the basis for the research-based public sector consultancy and degree programs covering bachelor, master and PhD degree programs within animal science and veterinary medicine.  We offer a lively, engaged and innovative learning and study environment, which is closely integrated in the research environment.

Our department has unique and advanced animal experimental research facilities and technologies, situated in close connection to the research environment, and a comprehensive national and international research network and good industrial and professional collaboration.
Please refer to Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (au.dk) for further
information about the department; https://anivet.au.dk/en

The department generates novel research at the highest international level within sustainable food production, environment, climate, and health and welfare for animals and humans. The activities form the basis for the research-based public sector consultancy and degree programmes covering bachelor's, master's and PhD degree programmes within animal science and veterinary medicine.  We offer a lively, engaged and innovative learning and study environment, which is closely integrated into the research environment.

Our department has unique and advanced animal experimental research facilities and technologies, situated in close connection to the research environment, and a comprehensive national and international research network and good industrial and professional collaboration.
Please refer to Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences for further
information about the department; https://anivet.au.dk/en
 


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. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.


Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: [email protected]


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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.
 


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/