Vacant job

PhD Position in Ruminant Nutrition and Sustainable Dairy Production

Subject area: Animal Science

Project description

Forage-based feeds are central to Swedish dairy production, and their protein content and degradability can influence nitrogen utilization, feed intake, and milk yield. The aim of this PhD project is to investigate nutritional strategies to improve nitrogen use efficiency in dairy cows. The project will include feeding trials with dairy cows as well as analyses of feed, milk, and other biological samples to quantify nitrogen flows and evaluate how diet composition affects nitrogen utilization.

Duties

The PhD student will participate in all stages of the research process. Duties include planning and conducting feeding trials with dairy cows, sampling and analysis of biological materials, processing and statistical analysis of experimental data, and publishing and presenting research results in scientific journals and at conferences. The successful candidate will also participate in doctoral courses and contribute to departmental activities. Work outside regular office hours may occur.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a Master's degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, or a related field. Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary school English B/English 6.

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in sustainable livestock production and research in ruminant nutrition, environmental impacts, and production systems. The candidate should have good interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Valid Category B driving licence.

Meritorious qualifications

• Interest in, and preferably experience working with cattle.
• Documented experience in data collection, processing, and management of data from animal feeding trials.
• Experience with wet chemistry methods for feed analysis.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as initiative, attention to detail, and commitment to research. Applicants are requested to attach their Master’s thesis to the application. References from previous academic supervisors, for example from BSc or MSc thesis projects, are highly desirable.

About us

The mission of our department is to promote good animal husbandry, animal welfare, and sustainable food production with high product quality through research and education on animals, with a focus on feed and nutrition, management and environment, ethology and animal ethics, animal welfare, and animal protection. We have approximately 125 employees working in Uppsala, Skara, Umeå, and Gothenburg.

As a doctoral student, you will be part of a creative and stimulating environment with opportunities for networking with both industry partners and international collaborators.

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: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Read more about doctoral education at SLU: https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/

Employment and salary

The position is a full-time doctoral studentship comprising four years of postgraduate education. Salary is determined according to the local collective agreement for doctoral students, with fixed salary progression levels.

Scope

100% full-time.

Location

Uppsala, Sweden.

Starting date

By agreement, but no later than 15 October 2026.

Application deadline: 2026-08-10