The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 22.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.
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- page letter of interest, a tabular CV, copies of all university degrees, and full contact details of two referees) should be submitted electronically in the form of a single merged PDF file via the application portal.
For further information refer to the project website or contact Dr. Ellen Hoffmann, University of Kassel,Tel: +49 5542 98 1251, Email: for5903(at)uni-kassel.de.
In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.
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
Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our FAQ .
In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de, stating the reference number.
In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.
The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.
Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:
Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:
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.