Postdoctoral researcher in Resource Efficient Organic Pig Farming

Aarhus University invites applications for a four-year Postdoctoral researcher position in sustainable organic pig farming, with a particular focus on the role of nutrition for livestock in future farming systems and their contribution to the green transition. The qualified candidate will join a dynamic and interdisciplinary research team with colleagues from the Department of Agroecology and the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

Research Focus:

• Nutrition: Analysing the nutritional profiles of organic feed and its impact on animal health and productivity.
• Nutrient Recycling: Exploring innovative management strategies for nutrient recycling within organic farming systems at field and farm level
• Mixed livestock systems: Investigating strategies for integration of livestock and crops to facilitate feed supply and support biodiversity
• Climate Adaptation: Developing strategies to enhance the climate resilience of integrated livestock farming systems.
• Circularity: Promoting circular economy principles in organic pig farming, emphasising resource efficiency and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Conducting independent and collaborative research within the outlined focus areas.
• Designing and implementing experiments, collecting and analysing data.
• Publishing high-quality research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Participating in grant writing and securing external funding.
• Teaching, mentoring and supervising students and junior researchers.
• Engaging with stakeholders, including farmers, industry partners, and policymakers to disseminate research findings and promote sustainable practices.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Animal Nutrition, Farming System Science, or a related field.
• A strong background in animal nutrition or nutrient cycling in mixed farming systems.
• A proven track record of high-quality research publications.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

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.

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, and 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.

Please refer to Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (au.dk) for further
information about the department; https://anivet.au.dk/en

Contact

Further information on the position may be obtained from Head of Research Unit, Professor Jan V. Nørgaard, phone: +45 5071 8795, mail: janvnoergaard@anivet.au.dk 

Start date and duration of employment

This is a 4 year position from 1 February 2025 or as soon possible.

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 family.

Place of employment and place of work

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.
 

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.

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.