Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Animal and Veterinary programme. The position is available from 01 August 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title:
Using animal behaviour methods to quantify dairy cows’ experience of feeding management including methane-reducing feed additives – addressing potential welfare concerns.
Research area and project description:
The research area is animal behaviour and welfare. The aim of the PhD project is to assess how dairy cows perceive diets that include methane-reducing feed additives. Using behavioural and motivational tests, dairy cows’ preference and aversion related to feeding management will be quantified. The project will also assess whether dairy cows show signs of discomfort due to methane-reducing feed additives.
Reducing methane emissions from dairy cows is a key strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. One approach involves the use of feed additives that inhibit methane-producing microorganisms, such as 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP, marketed as Bovaer(r)), which is already being widely implemented in Danish conventional dairy herds. However, the potential impact of methane-reducing feed additives on animal welfare remains unclear, as such additives have reduced feed intake in previous studies. This PhD project will investigate whether dairy cows avoid diets containing methane-reducing additives, or certain doses hereof, and whether they show signs of discomfort caused by the feed. Thereby the results will inform on potential animal welfare concern of this feeding management.
The project will involve developing and applying behavioural and motivational tests to assess dairy cows’ feeding preferences based on post-ingestive feedback. In ruminants, post-ingestive feedback mechanisms influence feeding choices within hours after consumption. If a feed causes discomfort or malaise, animals modify their future intake of this feed accordingly. This research will use behavioural tests where cows will have access to two feed options simultaneously, allowing for an assessment of their preference or avoidance. The strength of the cows’ choices will be further quantified by varying the "price" (effort required) to access each feed. This means that the test is not only determining the cows’ choices but is also quantifying the strength of their preference for or aversion to diets containing different doses of Bovaer.
The PhD project is part of a larger study investigating the potential welfare effects of methane reducing feeding funded by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and includes both lactating cows and dry cows.
Project description: For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have a relevant master’s degree (120 ECTS), or equivalent, or receive the Master’s degree before the start date.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
- Margit Bak Jensen, MargitBak.Jensen@anivet.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Guilherme Amorim Franchi, gaf@anivet.au.dk (co-supervisor)
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 26 May 2025 at 23:59 CEST
Preferred starting date is 01 August 2025.
Please note:
- Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
- The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
- Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
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. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Viborg Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aarhus Universitet, Blichers Alle, 8830 Tjele
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 26-05-2025;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/e23a83be-52dc-4342-8cd3-52a3533d843d
