PhD student - sustainable broiler production

Organisation/Company

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

15 Jan 2026 - 12:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

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: Towards more sustainable broiler production by reducing the incidence of filled crops at slaughter
Research subject: Animal Science
Description:

Like most other birds, chickens have a crop in which they can store feed for a period of time. Before slaughter, it is important that the crop is emptied to prevent any remaining feed residues from contaminating the meat during slaughter. In recent years, it has been discovered that chickens arriving at the slaughterhouse often still have contents in their crops. Discarding carcasses due to feed residues in the crop leads to increased food waste and financial losses for chicken farmers and slaughterhouses, which undermines the overall sustainability of chicken farming.

The overall aim of the project is to increase knowledge about why some chickens have contents in their crops at slaughter and to identify ways to prevent the problem. The project includes controlled trials at SLU's experimental facility as well as studies at chicken farms and slaughterhouses.  The controlled trials will investigate, among other things, how feed coarseness, meal feeding and longer periods of darkness affect the function of the crop and gizzard. The doctoral student will be able to participate in influencing the design of the studies, especially in the latter part of the project. 

The work involves planning, organising and conducting experiments at SLU's experimental facility Lövsta, as well as field work at chicken farms and slaughterhouses. A large part of the working time will be spent compiling, statistically processing and publishing results from the studies conducted. As a doctoral student, you will also be required to present the project orally and in writing, both scientifically and in layman's terms. The doctoral student is also expected to be able to participate in teaching at both basic and advanced levels.

Qualifications:

At the time of employment, an advanced degree is required. We are looking for a motivated candidate with a degree in animal science, veterinary medicine, biology or equivalent. You must also have documented good oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage. The job also requires a B driving licence. Previous experience with poultry and an interest in Swedish animal production are an advantage.

Place of work:      

Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:

Employment, 4 years

Scope:

100%

Starting date:

As soon as possible or according to agreement. 

Application:

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2026-01-15.

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 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 4,000 employees, 6,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 4,5 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.

Website

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I017/1114/main?site=6&validator=107666e3b6b77a4…

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet

Country

Sweden

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