Phd position within Sustainable Feed for Poultry and Pigs

Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare
The goal at our institution is to promote good animal husbandry and animal welfare as well as sustainable food production with high product quality. We do this through research and education on animals with a focus on feed and nutrition, management and the environment, ethology, animal ethics and animal welfare. We are about 125 employees working in Uppsala, Skara, Umeå and Gothenburg.

As a PhD student, you will be in a creative and stimulating environment with the opportunity to network with both the business community and international contacts.

More information about the department: Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Research project: Sustainable feed for poultry and pigs
Research subject: Animal Science
Description:
Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Lantmännen and the competence centre SustAinimal work together to explore the role of livestock for future increased, sustainable and competitive food production in Sweden. Focus is profitable solutions delivering food and ecosystem services in various parts of the food sector.

In Swedish poultry and pig production, feed accounts for the majority of both the production costs and the global warming potential. The animals' feed conversion ratio and the choice of feed ingredients thus have a significant impact on the production's climate impact. In addition to the climate impact, contributions to biodiversity, circularity, competition between feed and food, and self-sufficiency are important sustainability parameters. Future animal production needs feed that can meet these upcoming challenges without losing profitability and competitiveness. Possible strategies could include a higher proportion of feed ingredients produced from side streams and materials unsuitable for human consumption.

This project aims to develop and evaluate new feed compositions with the goal of reduced environmental impact, increased self-sufficiency, and increased use of feed ingredients produced from side streams, all while maintaining good profitability.

Work tasks:
The work involves planning, organizing, and doing practical work while conducting animal trials at SLU's research facility Swedish Livestock Research Centre. The tasks also include compiling, statistically analyzing, and publishing results from the conducted studies, as well as working with databases and sustainability assessments.

As a doctoral student, the responsibilities includes oral presentations and written publications of the project in scientific and popular science contexts. The doctoral student is also expected to participate in teaching activities at both undergraduate and advanced levels.

Qualifications:
At the time of employment, a degree at advanced level is required for the position. We are looking for a candidate with a degree in Agricultural Science, a Master’s degree in Animal Science, Biology, or another relevant field. You must also have documented good knowledge in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Swedish or other Nordic languages is considered an advantage. A driver’s license for car is also an advantage.

Previous experience in statistical data analysis, working with databases and sustainability assessments, strong computer skills, and working with pigs or poultry and their feeding is considered advantageous. An interest in Swedish animal production is also seen as a merit.

Great importance will be placed on strong collaboration skills, the ability to work independently, and personal suitability for the tasks.

Place of work: 
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Employed as PhD student 100 % full-time (4 years education)

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-01-15.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: https://www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/application-admission-doctoral-studies/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, or equivalent, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden. SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.