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, yo... Visa mer
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/
Name of research project:
Rethinking Perches – Improving Hen Welfare under Pressure
Research subject: Animal Science
Description:
Keel bone damage (KBD) is one of the most widespread and serious welfare challenges in laying hens, in Sweden and across the globe. These injuries cause pain and discomfort for the birds and affect their mobility, behaviour, health, and productivity.
Our project, "Keel Under Pressure (KUP)", takes a bold and innovative approach to this problem. We are exploring an entirely new perspective: how the design and variation of perches, a key feature of housing systems, can influence keel bone health, behaviour and overall hen welfare. This is your chance to be part of groundbreaking research that can shape the future of sustainable egg production.
As a PhD student in this project, you will investigate:
• perch design in rearing: Does variety in perch types lead to healthier keel bones?
• the development of keel bone deviations: How do these changes arise over time?
• welfare consequences of keel bone deviations: What impact do these have on hen behaviour and wellbeing?
• high-tech welfare assessment: Help develop a non-invasive computer vision method to track and analyze how hens move in 3D space.
You will gain hands-on experience in behavioural studies, animal welfare science, and innovative data collection methods, all within a supportive, collaborative research environment.
You will be based at the Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare (THV) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala. Practical experiments will take place at the SLU Lövsta Research Farm, a SLU livestock research facility.
Join us in pioneering solutions that make a real difference for animals and the people who care for them. Your research can help hens not only to reduce suffering but also promoting positive welfare and healthier conditions, contributing to a more ethical and sustainable egg industry.
Qualifications:
You should have:
• a degree in veterinary science, agronomy, biology (or related fields) with a focus on farm animal behaviour and welfare.
• interest and/or experience in animal behaviour, statistics, and computer-based data analysis.
• documented research experience with farm animals is an advantage.
• strong communication skills in English (spoken and written).
As a person, we want you to be:
• curious, driven, resourceful and excited to tackle real-world animal welfare challenges.
• proactive and practical – comfortable working with animals and equipment in research settings.
• analytical and detail-oriented – ready to dive into data, patterns, and problem-solving.
• collaborative and adaptable – able to work with colleagues in Sweden and internationally, and willing to travel for research purposes.
Place of work:
Uppsala
Forms for funding or employment:
Employment as a PhD student (4 years)
Starting date:
As soon as possible or according to agreement.
Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2025-09-15.
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 https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/
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.
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