Precision Insect Farming: Development of a novel sensor platform to monitor stress, behavior and welfare of insect larvae in relation to the rearing conditions (PhD)

This open PhD position is embedded in a ground-breaking collaboration between the Livestock Technology group (prof. Ben Aernouts) and the research group for Insect Production and Processing (prof. Jeroen De Smet) at KU Leuven campus Geel. This consortium offers an internationally oriented, productive, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary environment. The Livestock Technology group aims at developing and testing innovative sensor technology, data processing algorithms and digital decision support tools to improve animal management. Their fundamental research activities deal with novel measuring concepts and advanced data-analytics, while the applications cover automatic assessment of animal behaviour, welfare, health, production efficiency and product quality. The Research Group for Insect Production and Processing focuses on biological and (bio)chemical challenges within the industrial insect production and processing value chain. These challenges range from the exploration of the biological and chemical safety of insects to improving/increasing production, processing and usage of insect and insect-based products. Their research relies on a wide array of technologies, for example biological strategies (e.g. probiotics, fermentation) and/or new chemical/physical extraction procedures (e.g. for protein or chitin). The proposed PhD position will support their research on developing novel methods to better score the impact of different strategies to improve insect behavior/welfare and productivity.
KU Leuven is a research-oriented institution that is consistently ranked among the top research universities in Europe. The campus in Geel is located in a green and rural environment, in close collaboration with research institutes, industry and insect farms.
Website unit

Project

Profile

Offer

We offer a fulltime PhD position with competitive salary for 4 years, preferably starting on the 1st October 2024. Our young, dynamic and multidisciplinary team will support you in all aspects to successfully obtain your PhD degree and proper scientific training at a top-ranked university, with excellent education and learning opportunities. You will work closely together with experts and research institutes from different fields, have opportunities to participate in national and international meetings, establish your own network and gain experience in transferal skills.
website IP&P

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Ben Aernouts, tel.: +32 14 72 13 64, mail: ben.aernouts@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Jeroen De Smet, tel.: +32 16 37 95 27, mail: jeroen.desmet@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.