Website University of Bern
Project description
A project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation is investigating a new concept for pasture-based cattle farming on 16 Swiss farms. Integrating pasture and forest is expected to offer significant potential for promoting biodiversity. Currently, a tiered, structurally diverse habitat at the forest edge is created through mechanical thinning. Cattle grazing at the forest edge could eliminate the need for machinery and provide additional impetus for biodiversity. While biodiversity indicators are being examined in a parallel doctoral dissertation, this work focuses on animal welfare and economic viability.
Further information on forest edge grazing can be found here. Some parts of the project are being conducted in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. One or more short research stays in southern Sweden are possible.
The work location(s) can be freely chosen. The facilities and other infrastructure of the aforementioned institutions in Bern and Zurich are available. Offices and vehicles at both locations can be used simultaneously or alternately.
Area of responsibility
- Participation in the design of the experimental setup
- Management of the forest edge grazing experiment
- Communication with farmers
- Observation of cattle during the grazing season and recording of relevant data
- minor involvement in projects and teaching at the Ruminant Clinic
- Preparation of a veterinary medical dissertation in the form of scientific publications (peer-reviewed)
- Presentation of results at national and international conferences
Requirements
- Completed studies in veterinary medicine, agronomy, biology or related disciplines
- Scientific interest
- Independent work after a training period
- good communication skills
- good knowledge of German and English
- Driving licence category B
Your benefits
Good research infrastructure and international network
Collaborative environment and ambitious team
Individual career support
Access to cutting-edge technology and innovations
Salary calculator
Your annual gross salary for 2026 will amount to 50,042 Swiss francs for full-time employment, including the 13th month salary.
Working at UniBE
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Application and contact
Please send your application, including a cover letter, CV and certificates, as a single PDF file via email to jens.becker@unibe.ch and caren.pauler@agroscope.admin.ch by May 31, 2026.
Questions about the position?
PD Dr. med. vet. Jens Becker, PhD Dipl. ECAWBM(AWSEL)
jens.becker@unibe.ch
+41 31 684 23 44
Questions about the application process?
PD Dr. med. vet. Jens Becker, PhD Dipl. ECAWBM(AWSEL)
jens.becker@unibe.ch
+41 31 684 23 44
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