Doktorandenstellen in Göttingen – Minding Animals Germany

STELLENAUSSCHREIBUNG (Göttingen, Deadline: 23.10.2016)
PhD Positions “Animal Welfare in Intensive Livestock Production Systems“

The University of Goettingen has position openings for
15 Doctoral Researchers
to join the new PhD program “Animal Welfare in Intensive Livestock Production Systems – Transformation Processes within Intensive Animal Husbandry” funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Research and Culture. The positions are available from November 1st 2016 or later. The successful candidates will be funded for three years by scholarships under the “Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg-Stipendien”-Program.
This doctoral program involves research institutes from the Georg-August-University of Göttingen, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, the University of Vechta, as well as the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck. Using an interdisciplinary perspective, the program will focus on the necessary transformation processes within intensive animal husbandry. Further information on the program is available under the following link: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/information-in-english/544801.html. Within this structured three-year program, the successful candidates will be given the opportunity to gain a doctorate. They will investigate a certain research question at one of the participating chairs and in parallel participate in a modular program which will provide them with subject-specific, methodological as well as transferrable skills.
In order to successfully meet the requirements of the graduation programme, basic knowledge of the German language is imperative. In addition, the successful candidates should have a good command of English and a good knowledge of research methods. The positions are based in different fields of expertise. Please find below the specific requirements for the successful candidates in the individual projects.

1. Animal welfare from a business perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in agricultural economics, agribusiness, economic sciences, forestry sciences (with a specialization in forest economics) or a related discipline
• Interest and good knowledge in the following areas: application of economic planning and analytical methods; knowledge of animal production; supply chain management

2. Animal welfare from a veterinary and livestock sciences perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in veterinary medicine; agricultural sciences (with a specialization in livestock sciences); biology; or life sciences.
• Interest and good knowledge in one of the following areas: microbiological research, research dealing with livestock and animal husbandry with regard to animal welfare and animal health; livestock ethology, environmental consequences of animal production; food safety; production systems of farm animals.

3. Animal welfare from a consumer science perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, nutritional science, economic sciences (with a specialization in marketing)
• Special requirements: Interest in market research, marketing and consumer behaviour.

4. Animal welfare from an ethical/philosophical perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in philosophy (preferably with a specialization in practical philosophy)
• Special requirements: Interest in the topic of Issues of Applied Ethics and knowledge in the theoretical principles of ethics

5. Animal welfare from a structural research, agricultural and economic geography perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in geography or related economic or social sciences
• Specific requirements: experience in empirical social research, interest in the topic of ‘Agents of
Transition in Livestock Value Chains’

6. Animal welfare from a psychological respectively interdisciplinary sociological Trust Research perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in psychology or related sciences (e.g. Educational science, Social sciences)
• Specific requirements: profound knowledge in qualitative and quantitative empirical research methods, profound socio-psychological knowledge

7. Animal welfare from a legal perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in law with distinction
• Specific requirements: basic knowledge in agricultural legislation as well as interest in animal welfare issues concerning public, civil and criminal law

8. Animal welfare from an economic respectively political perspective
Successful candidates will have
• A postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in national economy or political science with a specialization in economics (or the like)
• Specific requirements: Interest and knowledge in the following areas: theories of regulation and governance, behavioural science, experimental economic research, empirical social research

Please indicate in your application in which of the above fields of research you are interested.
The universities strive to increase the proportion of female staff in areas in which they are underrepresented, and specifically encourage qualified women to apply. Disabled persons who are equally qualified for the position will be favoured.
Please submit your application (online) to: animal.welfare. Deadline for applications is October 23, 2016. Later applications will also be considered for as long as the positions remain vacant. For further details please contact Sarah Kühl (e-mail: animal.welfare).