Doctoral Researcher

At the University of Kassel, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Group Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics (Prof. Dr. Eva Schlecht), the following position is to be filled by 1 October 2025: Doctoral Researcher (m/w/d), salary scale EG 13 TV-H, part time 65% (currently 26 hours per week) **Application deadline**: 04.08.2025 **Date of hire**: 01.10.2025 **vacancy number**: 38567 Part-time position with 65 % of the working hours of a full-time employee within the project FOR5903, with the option of gaining a PhD degree. Fixed term-position for four years, corresponding to -2 Abs. 2 WissZeitVG FOR5903 is a DFG Research Unit with a wide interdisciplinary and international scope, investigating different dimensions of global urbanisation processes under the novel framework of “Sustainable Rurbanity”. In the context of this project, a doctoral position is available addressing " Understanding the sustainability potential of food waste as livestock feed in Indian rurban contexts ". The position cannot be shared. Main place of service is Witzenhausen, but extended field work in India for several months per year will be required. Fitness for service in the tropics is therefore mandatory. **Specifications**: - Baseline survey in Bengaluru, India, with sampling and mapping of locations where food waste is generated and where food waste is used in livestock feeding; analysis of material flows. - In-depth analysis of dairy cattle feeding strategies that use/add value to food wastes - Analysis of feed and product (milk) quality through established laboratory methods - Sustainability assessment of livestock feeding with food waste in collaboration with other project members - Participation in project-related seminars and workshops as well as international conferences with presentation of own results **Requirements**: Obligatory - Completed university degree (MSc or diploma equivalent to 180 ECTS) in agricultural sciences or related fields. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest. - Fluency in English language (proven by internet-based TOEFL of at least 80 points, IELTS, or equivalent language certificate). - Ability and willingness to work in a dedicated team with an international and intercultural background in India, Ghana, and Germany Desirable - Experience in research and hands-on work with farm animals, especially dairy cows. - Experience with field studies or on-farm research, experimental design and data analysis - Basic laboratory skills and experience with analytical methods for qualitative feed and milk evaluation - Basic knowledge of sustainability science, complex systems approaches, and social-ecological systems research methods Applications (containing a one For further information refer to the project website **Our Offer**: As an employee of the University of Kassel - you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university, - you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere, - you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures, - is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge. In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as: - an additional company pension (VBL), - an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies), - an annual bonus - an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits, - a promotion of voluntary commitment, - low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de FAQ bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.