Aarhus University invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Researcher position in Ruminant Nutrition, with a particular focus on the use of feed additives to reduce enteric methane in different types of cattle (calves, dairy cows). The qualified candidate will join a dynamic and interdisciplinary research team within the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

Research Focus:

• The effects of novel feed additives on enteric methane emissions, health status, and feed utilization in dairy cows.
• The effect of nutrient composition of the diet on enteric methane and feed utilization in calves from birth to slaughter.
• The effect of feed additives to reduce enteric methane when fed to calves.

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.
• Teaching, mentoring, and supervising students.
• Engaging with stakeholders to disseminate research findings.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Animal, Veterinary Science, or a related field.
• Research experience in ruminant nutrition, and particularly nutrition of calves and/or dairy cows.
• Research experience within feed evaluation, measuring enteric methane using respiration chambers and Greenfeed.
• Experience in conducting different types of animal experiments going from intensive experiments focusing on feed evaluation, gas exchange, nutrient digestion, and metabolism to production experiments at the herd level focusing on nutrient intake, production efficiency, and milk production.
• 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 including 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, 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 with 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 Peter Lund, phone: +45 40157673, email: Peter.Lund@anivet.au.dk. 

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.