Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD fellowship starting on January 1st, 2016. The application deadline is 1st November, 2015.
Title: Ontogenetical effects of enrichment on poultry welfare with a special reference to leg health
Project description:
This project is part of a large EU-project, ‘ProHealth’, which is currently running. The overall aim of the ProHealth project is to develop an understanding of the multi-factorial dimension of animal pathologies linked to the intensification of production and use this to develop, evaluate and disseminate effective control strategies to reduce the impact.
In this PhD project the effect of enrichment on the welfare of primarily broilers but also layers will be assessed. Special emphasis will be placed on the leg health of the birds.
A key aim of the project will be to describe how enrichment such as bales of straw or differing levels of light may increase the activity of broilers, and how this increased activity may increase the leg health of the birds as well as have other types of beneficial welfare consequences. All types of enrichment may also have undesirable welfare consequences (e.g. increased flightiness) or undesirable economical consequences (e.g. necessitating lower overall stocking density). Mapping and develop strategies for mitigating these enrichment strategies is also included in the aim of the project.
The project will include making a review of existing literature, setting up and conducting experiments on farm, as well as laboratory work to determine leg health (the amount of laboratory work is partly dependent on the interest and experience of the PhD student).
More information is available from the principal supervisor.
Principal Supervisor:
Björn Forkman, Professor in Applied Ethology
Email: bjf@sund.ku.dk
Direct phone +45 35 33 30 15
Population Biology, Department of Large Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Required Qualifications
A veterinary degree, a degree in animal science or biology or similar university level qualifications is required.
Preferred qualifications
Solid level of spoken and written English, and good general communication skills.
Experience with poultry and poultry production will be considered an advantage.
Prior knowledge of research in animal behaviour or animal welfare will be considered an advantage.
General job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at SUND are to:
•manage and carry through your research project
•take the assigned PhD courses
•write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
•participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings
•disseminate your research
•participate in the undergraduate teaching of veterinary and animal science students
Key criteria for the assessment of candidates:
•The grade point average achieved
•Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD program
•Previous publications and writing skills
•Relevant work experience
•Other professional activities
•Language skills
•The successful candidate is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills
Formal requirements
The position is available for a 3-year period for applicants holding a relevant masters’ degree.
It is a prerequisite that the PhD candidate is enrolled as a PhD student at the faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen according to the rules stipulated in ‘Bekendtgørelse nr. 18 af 14. januar 2008 om ph.d.-graden (Ministerial Order on the PhD Course of Study and on the PhD degree of January 14th, 2008).’
Terms of employment
Salary and other terms of appointment are set in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne) (Academics)). The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (2007).
For more information please contact Björn Forkman, bjf@sund.ku.dk , +45 35 33 30 15.
Foreign applicants may find the following links useful:
a. www.ism.ku.dk (international staff mobility)
b. www.workingconditions.ku.dk
Application procedure
Applications in English must include:
•Cover letter, stating the PhD project you are applying for and detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project
•Curriculum Vitae
•Diploma(s) and detailed transcription of records
•Personal recommendations
•List of publications if any
•A maximum of three relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to have included.
The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no 242 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities of March 13th, 2012.
The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.
The position belongs to Section for Animal Behaviour and Welfare under the Group of Animal welfare and Disease Prevention.
The Department of Large Animal Sciences is one of the three veterinary departments at the University of Copenhagen, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The department undertakes a number of scientific tasks involving large animals (production animals and horses), annual teaching of more than 200 veterinary and animal science students and development tasks and attendance of the authorities for ministries and industry. Several of the tasks are solved as commercial activities.
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises app. 7500 students, app. 1500 PhD students and app. 3200 employees. The Faculty creates new knowledge and recognition through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions for the benefit of patients and the community.
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.
The University of Copenhagen actively influences current and future generations through excellent research, education and co-operation. UCPH is one of the highest ranked universities in Europe and is Denmark’s oldest university, founded in 1479. Today, the University has 40,000 students and 9,000 employees affiliated across six faculties: humanities, law, natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences and theology.