You will be a team member of the Research department of HatchTech; Unique opportunity to do a PhD project in close collaboration with the Adaptation Physiology Group of Wageningen University.

Are you interested in animal physiology; both fundamental and applied aspects of embryonic development and the early life of chickens? Would you like to participate in challenging, multi-disciplinary research projects? Within this job you will have the opportunity to do so.

You will be part of the Research department of HatchTech, which at this moment consists of four persons. This team investigates the requirements of the chicken embryo during the incubation process and early life of the chick. The final goal is to implement the gained knowledge in procedures or products that contribute to the improvement of health and performance of chickens. The work of our Research team is reflected in, for example, a new product or adjustment to an existing product, presentations for customers or at international conferences, scientific articles in the HatchTech magazine and in scientific and more applied journals, or in advice that is given to our customers to improve their performance.

You will be responsible for the PhD project that will be carried out in close collaboration with the Adaptation Physiology Group of Wageningen University. During approximately the first 3 to 6 months you will be introduced to the research and business of HatchTech. Afterwards, you will work for 24 hours a week on the PhD project that will lead to a doctoral dissertation. During the other 16 hours you will participate in and contribute to research activities of the other ongoing research projects within HatchTech. It is an ambitious trajectory and it is important to be flexible, but stick to your tight PhD planning as well.

The aim of the PhD project is to obtain more knowledge about different pathways of nutrient uptake and utilization during embryonic development of the chicken. This might lead to optimizing nutrient uptake and utilization during the embryonic period and ultimately to better chick quality.
The objectives of this study are:

• To investigate different routes of nutrient uptake from the yolk;
• To investigate nutrient partitioning in the developing chicken embryo;
• To investigate environmental requirements during incubation for optimal nutrient uptake from the yolk.

HatchTech's head office is in Veenendaal, but you regularly work at external locations. It is therefore important to have a driver's license (B). Work sometimes takes place outside office hours, so you do not mind working at varying hours from time to time.

We are looking for you if you:

• hold a Master's degree in Animal Sciences, Biology, Veterinary Sciences or a comparable scientific background;
• are fluent in English (both written and spoken). Knowledge of the Dutch language is a plus;
• have good organisational skills, such as time management;
• are independent and have innovative ideas;
• live nearby Veenendaal or Wageningen.

You will be appointed at HatchTech. We offer you:

• Fulltime job;
• Good salary;
• Telephone;
• Choice to have additional leave hours (In Dutch: ADV-dagen);
• Well-arranged pension;
• Training opportunities;
• Working at a successful company;
• A positive and informal atmosphere;
• Short lines and plenty of room for your own ideas;
• Possibility to buy shares and to benefit from the success of our company.

Wageningen University & Research

At HatchTech, we have one aim: to provide our customers with consistent superior chick quality. We do this by creating research-based products for incubation, chick transportation and brooding, and by providing effective customer service in installing and maintaining that technology. HatchTech has over 160 employees today. The largest part works in the Netherlands, but we also have branches abroad.
Examples of work at the Research department of HatchTech:

• Design and perform field studies;
• Collecting and analysing data;
• Making proposals for developing new products;
• Research on new products and give feedback about the conclusions;
• Give presentations and publish research results in reports, scientific articles, etc.

What characterizes us is that we are one team with all colleagues. Together we do our best, every day, to deliver good work and get great results. You will notice that you are easily included in our team. We are already looking forward to our new colleague!
Want to know more about HatchTech? View our Brand story: https://hatchtech.com/about_us

Wageningen University and Research Centre delivers a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need. For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs.htm. For further information about the Adaptation Physiology Group, take a look at www.adp.wur.nl.