Study in Ireland | UCD School of Veterinary Medicine Fully Funded PhD Scholarship 2026
Are you passionate about animal welfare, machine learning, and using technology to solve real-world agricultural challenges? The University College Dublin (UCD) is offering a fully funded PhD position at its renowned School of Veterinary Medicine, beginning January 1, 2026.
This research opportunity is part of a collaborative initiative supported by the VistaMilk Research Centre, a leading institution focused on smart agriculture and dairy innovation. The project aims to develop advanced technologies that improve livestock health and farm efficiency.
The successful candidate will contribute to pioneering methods for detecting and preventing lameness in dairy cattle, helping shape the future of sustainable and data-driven animal farming while gaining world-class research experience in one of Ireland’s top universities.
Project Summary: Addressing Dairy Cattle Lameness Using AI
Lameness in dairy cattle is a major worldwide welfare issue in milk production. Historically, farmers and veterinarians depend on human visual evaluation, yet these techniques lack precision and reliability. Severe lesions are frequently overlooked because of variability between observers and within the same observer.
Although innovative precision livestock technologies have developed, many still rely on restricted human evaluation. This PhD project seeks to overcome that obstacle by integrating machine vision with unsupervised predictive modeling to:
- Identify lameness in cows with greater precision.
- Recognize animals requiring prompt care.
- Forecast potential lameness hazards and their effects on performance.
The chosen candidate will become part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team at UCD, collaborating with the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the national research network of VistaMilk.
Benefits of the Scholarships
This is more than a PhD; it’s an esteemed scholarship offer intended to assist driven international students.
- Yearly allowance: €25,000
- Financial assistance for tuition: €5,500 each year
- Timeframe: Four years (commencing January 2026)
- Supported by the VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre, which offers access to advanced research resources and opportunities for collaboration among various institutions.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this competitive PhD, candidates are required to:
- Possess a primary degree (Level 8, 2H1 or above) or a Master’s degree (Level 9) in Computer Science, Statistics, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Science, or a related discipline.
- Exhibit strong motivation and outstanding communication abilities in both spoken and written English.
- Hold a complete EU (B) driving license.
- Demonstrate solid coding skills in Python, with previous research or data handling experience viewed as very beneficial.
Reasons to Choose UCD?
- Listed among the top 1% of universities globally.
- Ireland’s most internationally connected university, accommodating more than 38,000 students from 152 nations.
- Featuring top-notch research farms and laboratories, such as the Lyons Estate.
- A perfect educational center for students enthusiastic about animal welfare, agriculture, and technology.
How to Submit an Application?
Candidates need to assemble the following documents:
- A CV (Curriculum Vitae).
- A concise letter expressing enthusiasm, skills, and pertinent experience.
Important Dates
The application cutoff for this fully funded PhD position at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine is 12 pm on 17 October 2025. Candidates on the shortlist will be invited for interviews soon after the closing date, with the final selection process wrapping up before the year’s end. The chosen candidate will commence their scholarship and research activities on 1 January 2026
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