Postdoctoral position in Sustainable Feeding Solutions for Greenland Sled Dogs

The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position in sustainable nutrition for Greenland sled dogs. The position is available from 1 December 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information on the department can be found at: https://ikv.ku.dk/english/

Our research
This research project addresses the urgent challenges faced by Greenland sled dogs due to climate change, shifting feed availability, and increasing economic pressures. The overall goal is to develop sustainable and culturally aligned feeding strategies that promote the health and welfare of sled dogs in Greenland.

This project is carried out in collaboration with:

• The Technical University of Denmark,
• The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and
• Aarhus University,
• Local sled dog owners, feed producers, and industry partners.

In addition, the project is conducted in close collaboration with the well-established QimmeqHealth research initiative: https://qimmeq.ku.dk/english/

Your job
You will take an active role in fieldwork in Greenland, engaging with local sled dog communities and investigating the unique challenges related to Greenland sled dog nutrition. Your focus will be on analyzing the nutritional components and potential pollutants or contaminants of traditional raw materials, as well as exploring potential alternative local resources to develop sustainable feeding solutions. You will work with both existing and new data to support your research and conclusions, and based on your research findings, write and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals. Contributing to teaching and outreach activities within the department and supporting knowledge exchange with Greenlandic stakeholders and partners.

Profile
We are seeking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following qualifications:

Essential experience and skills:

• A PhD degree in a relevant field such as Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Biology or related disciplines
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience with data-driven research and problem-solving
• Experience in laboratory work
• Documented ability to analyze and interpret complex data sets
• An active interest in working with environmental samples and enjoys diving into data related to both nutritional components and pollutants
• Good understanding and strong interest in carnivore nutrition
• Proficient communication skills and the ability to work in teams
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Documented publishing of scientific papers based on research findings
• Passion for fieldwork and working with local communities
• Willingness to conduct fieldwork in Greenland (typically 1-2 months annually)
• Interest in learning the Greenlandic language

Desirable experience and skills:

• Knowledge of feed technology
• Experience in fieldwork
• Experience in handling dogs
• Pre or postgraduate teaching experience at university level

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

About us:
The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences covers strong and internationally recognized research areas in clinical veterinary sciences. Based on these, we want to set a new standard for cross-disciplinary research, education, and innovation within animal health and disease, and be among the best public workplaces in Denmark. Our research supports teaching in a manner and quality that secures continued national and international benchmarking. The department is responsible for clinical education and training of veterinary students at the University and offers an international postgraduate master’s program within Companion Animal Clinical Sciences (www.cacs.ku.dk). The department culture is typically Scandinavian: a flat structure with a tradition for close collaboration where all employees expect openness, mutual respect, and sharing of ideas, resources and competences.

The Section for Diagnostic Imaging, Companion Animal Surgery and Specialties has a strong research profile, primarily within companion animal research. The section holds clinical teaching and service obligations within imaging and companion animal surgery, cardiology, neurology, oncology, and clinical nutrition, and strong collaborations across fields nationally and internationally.

Clinical Nutrition is part of the section and employs researchers and clinicians specializing in veterinary and comparative nutrition, including one European-boarded diploma holder within the field, residents in training, and PhD students. The group covers teaching and research on animal and carnivore nutrition in health and disease. The Veterinary Clinical Nutrition referral service is internationally accredited and approved by the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) as a specialist (residency) training site. Veterinary Clinical Nutrition operates a specialized clinical nutrition referral service, seeing both primary and secondary patients needing nutritional management advice. We also provide advice services and continuous professional education seminars for veterinarians in general practice.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of two years. The start date is 1 December 2025, or after agreement.

Salary, pension, and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisations. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark for the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information, please contact Caroline Marcussen; cala@sund.ku.dk; www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills, and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 10 August 2025, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not meet the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 37

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.