The Chair of Animal Welfare is a full-time position at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) of Utrecht University. The Chair holder is responsible for education and research in the field of Animal Welfare. Moreover, it is expected that the Chair positions the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine among opinion leaders in animal welfare, nationally and internationally and translates scientific knowledge into actual and visible improvements in animal welfare. 

The Chair is situated within the Department of Animals in Science and Society (DASS), one of the eight Departments of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, the Department has a combined group of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, a group in Behavioural Neuroscience, a group on Sustainable Animal Stewardship and human-animal relationships, a Behaviour Clinic, and a group on 3Rs and Alternatives for Animal testing. The field of Animal Welfare is essential for the FVM because issues relating to animal welfare and adaptation are interwoven with many issues and dilemmas in science, society and the veterinary profession. The field of Animal Welfare at FVM should therefore play a dominant role in providing scientific knowledge, leading and instigating academic and societal discussion, and in educating the present and future generations of veterinarians and other students in Life Sciences curricula. In line with the ambitions of FVM, and in light of its prominence internationally, there is a need to sustain an active and influential Animal Welfare group.

Primary task of the chair: 

Lead animal welfare research:

• acquire research funding;
• translate animal welfare concepts, methods and insight to the full breadth of domesticated species and other species groups. 
• strengthen ties and collaborate with other (inter) national academic groups in animal welfare research and education;
• actively maintain and strengthen (inter)national networks relating to animal welfare.

Participate in and further develop the teaching programme of DASS and FVM

Enhance national and international animal welfare societal profiel of FVM:

• actively reach out to relevant societal and (semi-) governmental organizations, industry and enterprises;
• translate fundamental and applied research to societal issues, to discussions on animal welfare and to policy making.

Manage and lead the existing research group of animal welfare:  

• strengthen ties to other research themes of DASS.

• To be able to acquire research funding;
• Veterinarian, biologist or comparable qualification with a PhD and with an internationally recognized research track record related to animal welfare from the animal’s perspective;
• Focus on the way animals are housed and/or treated in various human settings, and development of behavioral and physiological indices of animal well-being and adaptive capacity;
• Track record of advocacy for improved conditions, treatment, and training of animals in various human settings;
• Broad academic network reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the field;
• Capacity to design novel, fundable research, recruit students into research, and publish in respected scientific journals;
• Prominent societal network relating to animal welfare, and the capacities and willingness to establish and/or strengthen this network for active outreach and participation within the Netherlands;
• Didactic skills for teaching at the academic level;
• Proven leadership skills, open communicator, providing (and open to) feedback, inclusive approach, a natural ability to link people, promoting equality, openness and respect. 
• Be able to speak the English language fluently; non-Dutch candidates should be willing to learn the Dutch language within a reasonable time period.

Utrecht University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its Faculty. It welcomes nominations of and applications from women and members of minority groups.

We offer a full-time permanent position. The gross salary varies - depending on previous qualifications and experience - between €5,334 and €7,766 (scale H2 Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time appointment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 % per year. We offer a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information is available at: working at Utrecht University.

Information for international staff and guests can be found at our website www.uu.nl/organisatie.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University (FVM-UU) is the only Veterinary School in the Netherlands and belongs to the international top in education, research and veterinary medical patient care. FVM-UU is one of the few European veterinary schools accredited by the American and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education. The Faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students.