Your capabilities
This position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme and is therefore subject to its eligibility conditions.
- To be eligible, must not already hold a doctoral degree.
- Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a doctoral programme at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven).
- Researchers of any nationality may apply.
- Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) that formally entitles enrolment in a PhD programme is required by the expected start date.
- The selected candidate will be employed full-time under an MSCA Doctoral Candidate contract, with conditions and benefits in accordance with national legislation and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions framework.
- The recruited researcher must be able to undertake the planned research secondments and participate in network-wide training activities within the FEATURE Doctoral Network.
- English language proficiency must meet the requirements of the University of Leuven’s doctoral admission regulations.
We offer
The successful candidate will be employed full-time by the host institution under a fixed-term contract in accordance with national regulations and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) rules for Doctoral Candidates. The position includes the following financial and professional benefits:
- A competitive monthly salary in line with the MSCA Doctoral Network programme, A full employment contract with social security coverage and benefits in accordance with national legislation and institutional policies
- Enrolment in a doctoral programme and access to the host institution’s graduate training resources.
- Participation in the FEATURE Doctoral Network’s training programme, including interdisciplinary courses, transferable-skills workshops, and network-wide summer schools.
- Research secondments at partner organisations (academic or industry) in other European countries.
- A supportive, inclusive, and international research environment, with mentorship and career-development guidance throughout the project.
This doctoral project will investigate the potential of alternative protein feeds derived from food industry by-products to improve the sustainability and circularity of European poultry systems. The candidate will assess the nutritive value, nutrient digestibility of selected feed ingredients, evaluate their effects on laying hen performance, egg quality and resource efficiency, and explore links between poultry gut microbiome profile and metabolic pathways using metagenomics and metabolomic approaches. The project will also consider the broader environmental and socioeconomic implications of replacing conventional protein sources in livestock diets.
The project includes training secondments at an industry partner for feed formulation and at the University of Pisa for socio-economic impact analysis.
The FEATURE network brings together six academic institutes, five research organisations and seven industry partners across seven European countries. Its 13 doctoral candidates will receive interdisciplinary training in sustainable and circular livestock production, combining animal nutrition, environmental science, data analysis, and socioeconomics. Each candidate will follow a personalised development plan, participate in training schools and workshops, and complete research secondments with industry partners. The network provides an excellent foundation for future research leaders committed to advancing sustainability, resilience, and innovation in European food systems.
