PhD Position in Sustainable Pig Production

Agroscope is looking for a: PhD Position in Sustainable Pig Production This PhD project is embedded in the HorizonEurope project RE-LIVESTOCK that aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of livestock farming, increase the capacity for dealing with climate change impacts and ultimately improve the overall resilience of the livestock sector.
Specifically, the PhD student will work with grower-finisher pigs aiming to 1) determine the maximum protein and amino acid restriction (compared to a standard soybean meal-based diet) that has no/limited influence on growth and protein efficiency, carcass/meat quality but reduces ammonia emission and 2) evaluate protein and amino acid restriction level under different sanitary conditions on animal resilience, growth efficiency and carcass and meat quality.

Description

-Conduct trials with grower-finisher pigs at the animal research facility of Agroscope Posieux -Conduct nitrogen balance studies and Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements on live animals and carcasses, organize and help at the abattoir during tissue collection -Conduct biochemical and histochemistry analysis of muscle tissue and the small intestine -Collaboration with partners (academic and industrial) partners of the Re-Livestock project

Requirements

-Master's degree in veterinary medicine, animal or nutritional sciences, or biology -Basic knowledge of pig nutrition and pig physiology is essential, and first-hand lab experience would be a plus -Candidates who have previous experience with experimental pig work are desired.
-Knowledge of two official Swiss languages.
Very good knowledge of written and spoken English About us Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector.
Its researchers carry out their work at a number of sites in Switzerland.
Headquartered in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2025: Posieux FR), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.
The objectives of the Swine Research Group are to optimize the genetic potential of pigs by evaluating appropriate economically suitable feeding strategies, which allow producing pork of excellent quality.
The project builds upon earlier studies of the host group.

We offer

We offer an intriguing job in a dynamic work environment, as well as thorough training and a modern research infrastructure.
Flexible working hours and good social benefits are among the perks of this position.
The Federal Administration is attentive to the different needs and backgrounds of its employees and promotes diversity.
Equal treatment is a top priority.

In your application, please refer to myScience and reference JobID 60892.