For the European Core Organic project ‘FreeBirds’, we are looking for a motivated Postdoc to investigate behaviour and welfare of organic laying hens. This research project is conducted in close collaboration between Utrecht University in The Netherlands and the ILVO in Ghent, Belgium. At the ILVO, we will make use of a unique research facility that allows automatic monitoring of free range use of individual laying hens, using ultra-wideband RFID tracking. Half of the birds comes from a conventional rearing system, while the other half was reared with access to dark brooders (artificial mothers). The effects of these dark brooders on behaviour and welfare will be investigated as well. Additionally, half of the free range of each group is planted with short-rotation coppice willows and the other half with small hazelnut trees. Differences in free range use between both types of tree cover will be investigated as well.

The main tasks of the Postdoc are:

• monitor free range laying hens and investigate how free range use influences behaviour and welfare of individual laying hens (fearfulness, plumage condition and keel bone damage);
• investigate whether and how dark brooders affect behaviour, welfare and free range use;
• investigate how free range cover affects use of the free range (short rotation coppice versus hazelnut areas);
• investigate the role of age of the hens, time of day and weather conditions on free range use in laying hens;
• investigate the relationships between free range use and parasites and nutrients in the soil;
• take a coordinating role in the execution of the research and the data collection, process and analyse the data and describe the results in at least two peer-reviewed scientific journals.

We look for a person with a PhD in Animal Science, Bio-engineering, Veterinary Science or Biology, with experience with farm animal behaviour and welfare research, preferably poultry. Experience with automatic tracking methods and with linking tracking data to other types of data would be a strong advantage (data processing, data analysis, statistical methods). Experience with fear tests and body condition scoring in poultry is also an advantage. As the project is part of a larger European project, excellent communication skills in English, both orally and written, are very important, as are good social and collaborative skills. A driver’s license, valid in The Netherlands and Belgium is important, as a part of the position would be based at the ILVO in Belgium and a part at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. Ideally, the Postdoc would spend the first year stationed in Ghent and the second year stationed in Utrecht. The start date of the position is 1 July 2018.

We offer a position which covers many different aspects in an exciting working environment with a lot of space for personal development. We offer a fulltime position, initially for a period of two years. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €2,588 and €4,084 (scale 10 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, (partly paid) parental leave, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at: working at Utrecht University.

The appointment will take place at Utrecht University. For the time period the {ostdoc works at the ILVO, it is expected that he or she will follow the locals rules of the ILVO.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students.

ILVO (Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) is a dynamic, multidisciplinary and future-oriented research institute of the Flemish Government whose main mission is to support economically, ecologically and societally sustainable agriculture and fisheries. There are four units located in Merelbeke, Melle and Ostend. ILVO has 200 ha of experimental plots and extensive infrastructure including laboratories, experimental livestock houses, greenhouses, aquaria and a dairy processing plant. The ILVO counts circa 600 employees, including 265 researchers. Approximately 35% of the employees work for the Flemish Government. The other staff are employed by the Own Capital on the basis of project or contract research. The present vacancy is offered by the Animal Sciences Unit of the ILVO. The Animal Sciences Unit is located in Merelbeke (Belgium). The unit conducts applied scientific research aiming for efficient, environmentally benign and animal-friendly livestock production. The vacancy is situated in the Animal Husbandry research domain and the Farm Animal Welfare & Behaviour research group in particular.