FUNDED MRES - Enriching the Lives of Dairy Heifers - HAU tuition and supervision fees plus a budget for conference attendance

MRes (Animal Science) Studentship - Tuition Scholarship (12 months funding)

Mode of Study: Full-time

Start Date: August 2025

Background

For the majority of dairy cattle in the UK, access to pasture is either limited or absent (Mandel et al., 2016). Although behavioural needs are increasingly challenged in zero-grazed systems, dairy cattle, unlike other farmed animals such as pigs, are typically provided with only limited environmental enrichment (EE), such as grooming brushes. Enriched environments enhance animal well-being by allowing them to perform a wider range of species-specific behaviours; however, to define welfare from the animal's perspective, we must first understand what they find rewarding (Dawkins, 2023). Research into EE provision for dairy cattle beyond grooming brushes is limited, and it remains unclear what enrichment options are currently offered or which would be most valued by the animals themselves. Enrichment research is especially scarce during the heifer rearing stage, and therefore this MRes will focus on addressing this important and understudied phase of development.

 

Project Aim and Objectives

The aim of the MRes is to determine the most feasible, effective and valued environmental enrichment for dairy heifers and its impact on welfare.

The key objectives are:

To determine which environmental enrichment is preferred by dairy heifers,To establish whether the use of environmental enrichment will encourage the expression of behavioural signs of play and exploration,To determine the impact of environmental enrichment on time budgets.

Dissemination of research findings will be through industry and scientific audiences, such as   peer-reviewed journal publications, conference and workshop presentations, including the HAU internal research conference.  

This MRes scholarship utilises expertise within the HAU Animal Science Research Centre to support the development of a farm research professional, capable of collating and critically evaluating data. The student will develop skills suited to working as an academic researcher or a public sector/industry researcher, or to a range of roles related to animal behaviour and welfare and agricultural practice. 

As part of the MRes programme additional support will be provided through 4 selected taught modules that introduce and develop essential core skills within the student. Through this project the student will receive training and support as required in Research and Information Skills, Experimental Design and Analysis, Sustainable Farming Systems and Advances in Farm Animal Health, Welfare, and Behaviour.

The MRes Studentship is supported by Harper Adams University QR funding.  

 

Applications

A covering letter and CV should be sent to Gemma Charlton – gcharlton@harper-adams.ac.uk 

The deadline is 5 pm UK time Monday 14th July 2025

Further information on Harper Adams University can be found at www.harper-adams.ac.uk and on the research training provided and MRes requirements at: 

https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/201135/master-of-research 

For informal enquiries on the project, please contact Gemma Charlton gcharlton@harper-adams.ac.uk

 All applicants must have:

Right to study in the United Kingdom. The tuition waver will only support the fees associated with a home student. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications from international students at this time.One of the following:UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Animal Science, Animal Behaviour and Welfare, or related fields, with a minimum 2.1 achievement in degree qualification (or equivalent)Honours degree plus previous and appropriate research experiencePostgraduate diploma or equivalent (at merit or distinction)The ability to work as part of a research team and self-motivation to take responsibility for their own work, and evidence to illustrate this.

 

The following are desirable:

A full UK driving licenceEvidence of interest and experience in dairy cattle behaviour and welfare

Closing Date: 14 Jul 2025

Department: Academic Staff & Research Degree Studentships

Salary: As per advert