Your capabilities
Conditions
- You have a master degree in bioengineering, engineering, biological sciences, computer science, or an equivalent field. If you have a foreign diploma, we ask you to obtain equivalence recognition. You can apply for this at NARIC Vlaanderen
- You meet the generic conditions to carry out a PhD Doctoral grants: requirements and regulations - ILVO Vlaanderen
- You have programming experience (e.g., Python or R)
- You are fluent in written and spoken English
- You hold a (provisional) Class B driver’s license
Personal competences
- Analytical and critical: You can interpret complex data and ensure the quality of your results
- Accurate and organized: You work meticulously and deliver reproducible results
- Independent and responsible: you plan your work and actively monitor your research progress
- Proactive: you take initiative and contribute ideas regarding research design and solutions
- Strong communication skills: you can clearly convey findings to colleagues and the industry
- Flexible: you switch easily between experiments, analyses, and collaboration with partners
We offer
We offer you a 4-year PhD position funded by ILVO and in close cooperation with a university.
- The doctoral scholarship is initially granted for 1 year and can be extended to 4 years, after a favorable evaluation. The scholarship is free of personal income tax but does contribute to your social security (e.g. pension).
- The net grant amount at ILVO is 2.855,57 for the first 2 years. For the final 2 years the amount is 2.960,94 net. These amounts may differ from the scholarship amounts at the Universities.
At ILVO, you enter a research environment where real change is happening. You will contribute to innovative research that makes a societal impact, while also having the opportunity to further develop your own talents. Thanks to flexible working hours and the possibility of hybrid work (where the position allows), we ensure a healthy work-life balance together. We offer an attractive leave policy, allowing you to enjoy 35 vacation days pro rata the duration of your employment during the current year. In addition, you don’t have to work between Christmas and New Year — we close our doors so you can enjoy a well-deserved break.
Additional: Hospitalization insurance, commuting allowance (bicycle – public
transport), meal vouchers (8 €/day).
As part of this Ph.D. program, you will be part of the project “Optimizing the welfare of sows and piglets in free-farrowing pens using Precision Livestock Farming tools,” a joint FWO project between ILVO and Ghent University. This project will investigate the behavior, physiology, and space use of sows and piglets during crucial phases such as farrowing, lactation, and weaning.
Your Ph.D. will focus on developing and testing innovative monitoring tools. You’ll combine in-depth research with hands-on work: you’ll take measurements in the barn, monitor trials on farms, and maintain direct contact with farmers. You’ll work in a multidisciplinary team and contribute to solutions that support the sector’s transition to more animal-friendly free-range farrowing pens.
Do you already have experience with sensor technology in livestock farming? If so, this provides a strong foundation for a smooth start to this Ph.D. program.
