Research Opportunities
PhD Opportunities
PhD Scholarship: Lameness Control in Irish Dairy Cows
Start Date: January 2026
Location: Teagasc Moorepark, Co. Cork (registered at UCD)
Funding: €31,000 per annum (includes stipend of €25,000 and university fees up to €6,000)
Duration: 4 years
Project Overview
Lameness is a major welfare and productivity issue on Irish dairy farms, affecting cow health, fertility, longevity and sustainability. This PhD project will pilot a comprehensive lameness control programme on selected farms to test its feasibility, effectiveness and transferability.
The programme will involve:
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Mobility scoring and lesion recording
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On-farm risk assessments
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Tailored management strategies
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Monitoring progress and outcomes
A social science component will explore farmer behaviour and attitudes towards lameness prevention to inform practical, scalable solutions.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should hold (or expect to hold) a degree in Agricultural Science, Veterinary Medicine, or a related field, with experience in dairy farming and a valid driver’s licence. Experience in dairy cow lameness, data handling and analysis is desirable. Strong communication skills and motivation are essential.
Opportunities
The successful candidate will:
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Work with experts from Teagasc, UCD and Animal Health Ireland
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Gain advanced research and data analysis skills
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Present at national and international conferences
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Contribute to improving dairy cow welfare and farm sustainability in Ireland
Supervisors:
Dr Muireann Conneely (Teagasc) and Dr Eoin Ryan (UCD)
Applications & Enquiries
Send your CV and letter of interest (outlining motivation, qualifications and experience) to:
📧 (opens in a new window)muireann.conneely@teagasc.ie and (opens in a new window)eoin.g.ryan@ucd.ie
Full Description at this link.
Closing Date: 11 November 2025