The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Animal Welfare for a 3 year position to commence 1 August 2026 or after agreement. The researcher should focus on advancing our understanding of behavioural strategies of production animals and horses living in large, dynamic social groups.

The successful candidate will contribute to synthesizing and publishing ongoing research and will play a key role in developing a large, competitive interdisciplinary research grant. A cross-species and integrative perspective combining concepts from animal behaviour, welfare science, and livestock management to better understand how animals navigate complex social environments in modern husbandry is of importance.

Key Responsibilities

• Finalize and publish manuscripts based on existing datasets and ongoing research within the group.
• Contribute to the development of a major interdisciplinary research grant proposal.
• Create and analyse behavioural datasets from animals living in large, dynamic groups (e.g., social structure, resource use) also working with sensor data.
• Collaborate with researchers across disciplines including animal science, behavioural ecology, veterinary science, and data science.
• Collaborate internationally.
• Present results at international conferences and contribute to dissemination activities.
• Assist with mentoring students and contributing to the research environment of the group.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Behavioural Ecology or a related discipline.
• Strong publication record and/or clear potential to publish in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with statistical analysis of behavioural data (e.g., social behaviour, group dynamics, movement or activity data).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating within interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Desired Qualifications

• Interest and experience in working with multiple species, specifically production animals and horses.
• Experience in contributing to grant writing or research proposal development.
• Skills in quantitative analysis, modelling, or advanced behavioural data analysis.
• Interest in translating behavioural research into practical improvements in animal husbandry and welfare.

The postdoc’s duties will include research within animal welfare, animal behaviour and animal husbandry as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Further information on the Department is linked at Animal Welfare and Disease Control – University of Copenhagen.

Enquiries about the position should be addressed to Professor Irena Czycholl, ic@sund.ku.dk

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

Deadline for applications: Sunday 12 April 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews are expected to be held in weeks 18 and 19.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.