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

Postdoctoral Researcher Position at the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our international team working on monitoring animal welfare and biosecurity indicators. The position is for two years and will commence on June 1, 2026, or soon thereafter. The position is within the research section Management and Modelling. The research section Management and Modelling develops methods and tools for herd management to promote animal welfare, green transition and economic viability. Further, the section integrates, develops and disseminates knowledge of farm animal management and relationships between actors and animals. Researchers in the section teach the BSc and MSc programmes in animal and veterinary science and supervise PhD students and conduct research-based public sector consultancy for national and international authorities on animal welfare and health. The research section is a dynamic multidisciplinary research group which includes animal scientists, veterinarians, economists, statisticians and anthropologists.

The Position

We seek a postdoc to identify and evaluate indicators for animal welfare in production animal systems for assessing animal welfare in conventional pig herds and to identify biosecurity indicators for animals kept outside in organic systems and for nature conservation. The postdoc will also contribute to developing training materials in relation to tail biting and tail docking, targeting pig welfare inspectors in EU member states.

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Holds a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications
• Has research experience in monitoring animal welfare, health or production.

Research Tasks

• Identification of animal-based indicators for pig welfare to be used in pig welfare inspection
• Evaluating data, tools and protocols for assessing animal welfare
• Identification of management for ensuring biosecurity for animals kept outdoors
• Development and evaluation of a training and testing programme targeting European pig inspectors to monitor tail lesions at slaughter

The preferred candidate will also engage in and further develop ongoing research and teaching within the Management and Modelling group.

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's, master's 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. ANIVET 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.

Contact

Further information on the position may be obtained from Head of Research Unit, Professor Jan Tind Sørensen, phone: +4520783343, email: jantind.sorensen@anivet.au.dk.

Living in Denmark

Please visit the international staff website 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.

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. 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: HR.Nattech@au.dk

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.