At the Norwegian School of Veterinary
Sciences we are seeking a candidate for a full-time temporary PhD position
running over a 3 year period in the field of animal welfare. The position is at
The Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, at the Production Animal
Research Laboratory and the Animal Welfare Research Group. Employment
presupposes acceptance into the PhD program and the candidate must apply within
2 months of starting. The work must lead to the defense of a PhD thesis.
Placement: The candidate will work on a large
ongoing nationally funded research project: ‘Rearing of laying hens:
Development of optimal methods that safeguard welfare and productivity’, which
is funded by Norwegian poultry producers. The project is based on a consortium
between The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, The Norwegian University of
Life Sciences, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute, and the production, research
and development organization Animalia. The project is also based on
collaboration with researchers at Wageningen University and Bristol University.
Advisory group: Andrew M.
Janczak will be the PhD candidates’ main advisor. In addition to this a PhD
committee will be set up on the basis of the candidates’ qualifications and
interests. In addition to this the PhD candidate will work within a large
national and international project group composed of researchers and
stakeholders. Some of the materials for the PhD work have already been
collected in order to ensure the progression of the candidate.
Position: This full time position is temporary
for a period of 3 years. Acceptance into the PhD program is a prerequisite for
employment, and the candidate must apply within 2 months of starting. The work must lead to a doctoral degree.
Subject: The area of study is animal welfare
which is a prioritized area of research and teaching at the Norwegian School of
Veterinary Science. In practice this is an interdisciplinary field that will be
defined in the present context on the basis of the research project and the candidate’s
strengths and interests. The goal of the project is to develop improved methods
of enrichment and stress reduction for laying hens during the rearing period in
order to improve their welfare and productivity. The project focuses testing
effects of the early rearing environment on physiological and behavioral
indicators related to animal welfare, stress, fear, positive emotions,
cognition and health. Documentation of the mechanisms underlying observed
effects will involve measurement of brain cell morphology, hormones,
neurotransmitters and gene expression. The candidate will have his or her main
focus on the basic scientific aspects of the project and related laboratory
work. The candidate will also participate in international collaboration to
ensure a high level of competence and must be willing to spend time working
with collaborators outside of Norway. The PhD candidate will participate in a
basic research project with high relevance for the poultry industry which will
provide the opportunity to contribute to the further development of this area
of science.
Qualifications: The applicant must
have a cand.med.vet, cand.scient., M.Sc., or a similar training within a field
such as veterinary medicine, physiology, ethology, molecular biology, gene
technology, analytical chemistry, or biochemistry. Knowledge about and
experience with the following methods will be considered when evaluating the
applicants: behavioural analysis, statistical analysis, histology,
immunohistochemistry, HPLC, LC MS/MS, ELISA, xMAP technology, PCR and
microarrays. We are looking for a motivated candidate who is willing and able
to work both independently and as part of a large team. Personal
characteristics will be emphasized when evaluating the applicants. The
applicant should preferably be fluent in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish, and
English, and have a valid driver’s license.
The research strategy at the Norwegian
School of Veterinary Science emphasizes recruitment of young scientifically
promising candidates.
Norwegian government employees should to the
largest possible degree reflect diversity in the population. Females and
persons from a minority background may therefore be favored. Persons with a
minority background are encouraged to apply for this position. The Norwegian
School of Veterinary Science emphasizes inclusive work conditions for persons
with disabilities.
The employee must accept changes in the tasks and
departmental placement resulting from possible changes in the future
organization and scientific focus of the veterinary school.
The salary is NOK 416,600 / year. Questions
can be directed to Andrew M. Janczak, tlf. 22 59 74 76/ 41 51 49 39 (andrew.janczak@nvh.no)
or Randi Moe, tlf. 22 59 48 72 / 91 61 83 99 (randi.moe@nvh.no). The electronic application portal will be
open in December and the application deadline is January 4th 2013.
Applicants must apply using the electronic form available on our web pages http://www.veths.no/en/Home/About-NVH/Employment/
Applicants should provide their diplomas,
grade cards and publication list. The successful candidate should start work
august 1st 2013. It may however be possible to start earlier in
another independent short-term research assistant position.
Andrew M. Janczak
Associate Professor
Research leader, Production Animal Research
Laboratory
Department of Production Animal Clinical
Sciences,
The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science,
P.O. Box 8146, Dep N-0033 Oslo, Norway