The significance of play and mother-young contact for positive welfare in farm animals
The PhD position deals with research on if possibilities to carry out play versus mother-young contact in farm animals can lead to increased positive welfare in the individual animal both from a behavioural and physiological viewpoint. The species that mainly will be used are sheep and pigs. The PhD student is expected to be able to work independently on farms and to take responsibiblity for planning the studies, collecting data, doing hormone analyses and writing scientific articles. The PhD position is part of a larger project called Excellence Centre in Animal Welfare which is financed by Formas during three years. It is likely that there will be additional financing for another two years and then we will aim for prolonging the PhD position to totally four years.
Qualifications
Bachelor education equal to 180 ECTS and Master education equal to 120 ECTS within biology, animal science or veterinary medicine. Fulfilled courses in ethology and a master thesis in ethology have an advantage. Good knowledge in English and statistics and skills in writing scientifically is highly valued.
Forms for funding or employment
Employment as Research student 2 years
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