Assistant Professor of “Sustainability and farm animal welfare”

The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni) is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for teaching and research in veterinary medicine as well as a soughtafter partner for cooperation. The modern campus accommodates teaching and research facilities as well as the only veterinary teaching and research hospital in Austria and is the workplace of around 2,300 students and 1,400 staff. Vetmeduni distinguishes itself by striving for excellence in its teaching and research activities as well as in its service units and through its continuous dialogue with society.

The Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Food System Science is looking for an

Assistant Professor of “Sustainability and farm animal welfare”

in accordance with the appointment procedure for Assistant Professors established by § 99 (5) of the 2002 Universities Act

Grade: A2

Level of employment: 40 hours weekly

Length of employment: 4 years tenure-track position (i.e. permanent after positive evaluation)

Deadline for applications: 8.9.2024

Reference number: 2024/0176

Context

The Vetmeduni is looking for an Assistant Professor to represent and further develop the field of "Sustainability and farm animal welfare" in research and teaching. The assistant professorship is assigned to the Centre for Animal Nutrition and Welfare and thus has access to excellent, modern research and teaching facilities. The research area aims to make a scientific contribution to farm animal welfare science, providing practices and principles that ensure the human treatment and quality of life for farm animals while also considering environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The Centre has a dual focus on basic and applied research, from novel ideas to science‐based improvements in practice, being already a leading research group on animal welfare in Austria and internationally. This collegial environment will enable the incumbent to develop a rigorous and collaborative, independently funded research program with immediate impact and to develop to the full potential in becoming a world leader in farm animal welfare.

Main Tasks

The advertised position is aimed to further expand and complement the focus of the Centre for Animal Nutrition and Welfare and the Vetmeduni in order to create scientific evidence for a further development in farm animal welfare science. The concept of sustainability in regards to farm animal welfare integrates the traditional and emerging aspects of animal welfare with a broader commitment to sustainability aspects of livestock farming, ensuring that animal care practices can be maintained over the long term without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this context, the successful candidate is expected to establish an internationally visible, primarily third-party funded research program. This research is expected to be at the forefront of farm animal welfare science, addressing societal concerns, which ensures relevant and impactful research leading to change to improve the conditions of farm animals under human care. The successful candidate will collaborate on an interdisciplinary basis at the Vetmeduni. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to network with other national and international institutions, Vienna being a research-intensive international hub. Other tasks include teaching in the Vetmeduni curricula, the supervision of theses and doctoral students, as well as administrative tasks including work in committees, cooperation with authorities and ministries in preparation of policy making decisions and third mission activities.

Responsibilities

• Independent development and realization of research projects with a focus on developing novel approaches to the field of sustainability in regards to farm animal welfare

• Authoring of publications and independent acquisition and coordination of third-party funding in the relevant field

• Participation in various areas of research, teaching, service and administration within the framework of the university organization

• Independent teaching activities in the study programmes of Vetmeduni

• Supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students

• Establishment and management of a third party funded working group in the field of “Sustainability and farm animal welfare”

• Willingness to participate in the knowledge transfer, to prepare as an expert policy decision making papers and to promote early career researchers in the spirit of the social responsibility of the Vetmeduni

• Actively pursuing the strategic objectives of the department and the Vetmeduni

• Third Mission activities

Required education, qualifications and experience

• Completed studies in biology profiles or veterinary sciences and doctorate / PhD in a relevant field

• Experience in fundamental and applied animal welfare science research, preferably in farm animals

• At least 2 years of PostDoc-experience in a relevant field

• Outstanding publication track record in line with the career level

• Experience in the acquisition of third-party funding

• Proof of successful acquisition of third-party funding in line with the career level

• Experience with national and international research collaborations

• Teaching experience

• Experience in the supervision of postgraduate students

• Postgraduate research experience at least one other university/research institution for a total of at least twelve months

• Good English level (B2)

Additional desired qualifications and skills

• Ability to work independently

• An enthusiastic and committed team player

• Open to inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary joint working

• Excellent communication skills

• German level B2 – if not the willingness to learn German up to level B2 within 4 years

What we offer

• Top university: Vetmeduni is one of the leading academic education and research institutions in veterinary medicine in Europe

• Stable employer

• Attractive campus

• Personal and professional training and development opportunities

• Health care

• Diversity and family-friendly university culture

• Children’s day-care and holiday care options

• Numerous attractive fringe benefits

• Employee events

The Position

The position of Assistant Professor with a qualification (i.e. tenure-track) agreement (according to § 27 of the collective contract (Kollektivvertrag) for university employees) is initially limited to a duration of 4 years. After fulfilment of the agreed qualification goals, the contract will be of an unlimited duration as Associate Professor.

Minimum salary

The minimum salary for university staff is regulated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff and at the A2 level amounts to EUR 5,595.60 gross. The salary increases to EUR 6,055.70 gross when the provisions of the qualification agreement are met.

Applications

Please submit your application in English, noting the reference number 2024/0176, by e-mail to bewerbungen(at)vetmeduni.ac.at. Please do not forget to include the reference number or we will be unable to relate your application to the correct vacancy announcement.

Application documents in English language must include:

1. Letter of application with a brief description of

• Current research interests and research plan for the next three years, and anticipated advancement for the field

• Concept for academic teaching and supervision of young researchers

• Contribution to the scientific profile of the Institute and the Vetmeduni

2. Curriculum vitae including

• Information on selected research esteem factors (e.g. publication quality, impact, collaborations, invited talks) and recognition of excellence

• List of external funds acquired (topic, funder, budget, duration) and submitted or unsuccessful grant applications

• Overview of academic teaching and supervised theses, especially PhD theses

• Experience in the organization and management of team, staff and students

• Evidence of knowledge transfer and provision of expertise beyond the scientific community and other significant impact

3. Further documents to prove the required education, qualifications and experience described as necessary in the vacancy announcement

4. Names and contact information of three references

Presentations and interviews with the candidates are scheduled for October 2024 (likely in calendar week 43/44).

The Vetmeduni aims to increase the proportion of women among scientific and general university staff, especially in management positions, and therefore explicitly invites qualified women to apply. In the case of underrepresentation of women, female applicants who are equally suitable as the best-suited male competitor will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

There is no fee required for submitting an application. Applicants have no entitlement to reimbursement of any travel or accommodation expenses they may incur as a result of the application procedure.

As a proud holder of the “hochschuleundfamilie” (“University and Family”) certificate, Vetmeduni welcomes applications from candidates with family responsibilities. We also welcome applications from persons with disabilities or chronic conditions. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the disabled, Mr. Franz Mitterbauer (franz.mitterbauer(at)vetmeduni.ac.at).

Translations into other languages are solely for information purposes. The version advertised in the University Bulletin (Mitteilungsblatt) is the only one that is legally binding.

Contact for further information

Univ. Prof. Jean-Loup Rault, PhD

+43 1 25077 – 4900

jean-loup.rault(at)vetmeduni.ac.at

www.vetmeduni.ac.at