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ORGANISATION/COMPANYNewcastle University
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RESEARCH FIELDBiological sciences › ZoologyMedical sciences › Veterinary medicineNeurosciences › NeurobiologyPharmacological sciences › Veterinary pharmacologyPsychological sciences › Behavioural sciences
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RESEARCHER PROFILEFirst Stage Researcher (R1)
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APPLICATION DEADLINE15/05/2019 23:00 - Europe/London
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LOCATIONMultiple locations, see work locations below.
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TYPE OF CONTRACTTemporary
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JOB STATUSFull-time
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HOURS PER WEEK35-40
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OFFER STARTING DATE30/09/2019
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EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMEH2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
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MARIE CURIE GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER812777
OFFER DESCRIPTION
Public opinion across Europe demands that laying hens are kept in the highest possible welfare conditions. In Europe, this has led to a ban on battery cages, which came into effect from 2012. Although conceived with the best of intentions and a bold step to improve welfare, unexpected problems have arisen with alternative production systems: in large barn egg and free-range egg production systems, more birds suffer from keel bone fractures, there is a resurgence of pathogens associated with venturing outdoors, and there is an increase in feather pecking and cannibalism.
Hens without fractures lay more, bigger eggs, and consume less food and water. An outbreak of feather pecking can result in a 5% increase in mortality rates, which could result in 20 million hens dying prematurely due to feather pecking in the EU annually. It is clear, therefore, that improved welfare can lead to improved productivity.
Chronic stress is at the core of many of the challenges outlined. It is therefore crucial to understand how hens respond to stress, and to devise strategies to reduce chronic stress in laying hens. However, chronic stress is not easy to detect and quantify, because it is essentially an internal response. We should be able to measure such an internal response in the animals’ brains.
The ChickenStress consortium aims to understand how the stress response is regulated in the avian brain and to minimize chronic stress by investigating the three main contributors to variation in the stress response:
- genetic variability
- early-life environment
- current environment
By understanding the impacts of these factors, we will be able to produce more stress resilient birds in higher welfare housing conditions, and thereby enhance animal welfare and productivity.
We are currently hiring 14 Early Stage Researchers (PhD students) across the entire consortium to help us achieve these aims. We will provide a distinctive multi-disciplinary training environment which will prepare the PhD students for careers in academia, policy making, or industry. More details about each of the PhD projects and how to apply for them can be found on the website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cbe/chickenstress.
More Information
Benefits
The successful applicants will become employees of the employing organization, with all benefits that are associated with this. They will receive a salary, plus a mobility allowance. If the successful applicant has a family, they are also eligible for a family allowance.
Eligibility criteria
These PhD studentships are open to people of any nationality. However, the Marie S. Curie Actions have two strict eligibility criteria for applicants to these kinds of positions:
EARLY STAGE: The applicant must be within the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of her/his research career (starting from the moment you obtain a degree that makes you eligible to study for a PhD) and not have a doctoral degree. Adjustments can be made for career breaks.
MOBILITY: The applicant must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (e.g. work, studies) in the country where she/he has been recruited for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the recruitment date (this is the day on which you start your PhD).
Selection process
Applications must be submitted through the website. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 15 May 2019 (midnight Brussels time). There are other positions available in this network and you can apply for up to 5 of the positions at one time. To make an application you will need:
- Names and email addresses for 2 referees
- Current CV
- Transcripts of your Bachelor and Masters degree courses
- A statement about why you are applying to the positions that you are applying to, including how you meet the Essential and Desired criteria for those positions. You are allowed to address each position separately in your statement.
In early June, shortlisted candidates will be invited to Utrecht University for a two-day recruitment event on 18-19 June 2019. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered. Candidates who cannot physically attend will be interviewed remotely. Candidates will learn more about the ChickenStress Network and the underlying science.
Web site for additional job details
Offer Requirements
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REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVELAgricultural sciences: Master Degree or equivalentBiological sciences: Master Degree or equivalentComputer science: Master Degree or equivalentEngineering: Master Degree or equivalentPsychological sciences: Master Degree or equivalentNeurosciences: Master Degree or equivalentPharmacological sciences: Master Degree or equivalentMathematics: Master Degree or equivalentMedical sciences: Master Degree or equivalent
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REQUIRED LANGUAGESENGLISH: Excellent
Skills/Qualifications
Different for different positions. Please see the website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cbe/chickenstress
Specific Requirements
Different for different positions. Please see the website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/cbe/chickenstress
EURAXESS offer ID: 396128
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