Doctoral Researcher (m/w/d/), salary scale EG 13 TV-H - Group Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics

Part-time position with 65,00 % the working hours of a full-time employee. This is a fixed term-position for initially three years (§ 2 Abs. 2 WissZeitVG).

 FOR2432 is a DFG Research Unit with a wide disciplinary scope, covering diverse dimensions of Social-Ecological Systems. Its research programme addresses transition processes in agriculture, ecology, economy, and society that are linked to rapid urbanization, using Bangalore, an emerging megacity in South India, as an example. Research will be carried out in close collaboration with our Indian partners. In the context of this project, a doctoral position is available addressing “Influence of feeding and management on cow milk quality and safety”. The position cannot be shared. Main place of service is Witzenhausen, but extended field work in India for several months per year will be required. Fitness and willingness for service in the tropics is therefore mandatory.

The successful candidate will:

• Monitor, map and quantify the transmission/flow of nutrients, heavy metals and chemical contaminants from fodder production areas to dairy cattle troughs along a north-south transect in Bangalore
• Quantify milk yield and determine milk quality, notably casein and fatty acid profiles as well as contaminant levels, in selected dairy cattle holdings along the north-south transect
• Characterize farm environmental and management variables by respective measurements in selected dairy cattle holdings
• Collaborate with a PhD student in animal genetics to evaluate the gathered data in a holistic manner and identify genotype x environment interactions that affect milk quality and safety
• Summarize research findings in manuscripts that can be submitted to international peer reviewed journals in animal sciences
• Participate in project-related seminars and workshops, and in international conferences by presenting own results

Requirements:

• Completed university degree (MSc or diploma) in agricultural or veterinary sciences with a focus on animal nutrition or animal physiology
• Experience in research and practical work with farm animals, especially dairy cattle
• Experience with on-farm data collection and evaluation
• Demonstrated knowledge in feed and milk quality analysis
• Knowledge of processes that determine nutrient intake, digestion and metabolisation in ruminants and ability to develop respective conceptual models
• Fluent knowledge of English language (proven by internet-based TOEFL of at least 80 points
  or equivalent language certificate).
• Ability and willingness to work in a dedicated team with an international and intercultural background
  in India and Germany

For further information refer to the project website www.uni-kassel.de/go/for-2432 or to Prof. Dr. Eva Schlecht, University of Kassel, Tel: +49 5542 98 1229, Email: schlecht[at]uni-kassel[dot]de.

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The University of Kassel is an equal opportunity employer and aims at increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching. Qualified women are therefore expressly invited to apply. In case of equal qualification, physically challenged persons will be given preferential consideration. Applications shall indicate the position number and title and shall contain a letter of interest, a CV, copies of all university degrees and contact details of two referees (full address including email). Hard copies should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, Mönchebergstr. 19, 34109 Kassel, Germany. Digital applications (acceptable only as single pdf file!) should be sent to bewerbungen@uni-kassel.de.