Fully Funded PhD Scholarship 2026 at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine
Are you passionate about animal welfare, machine learning, and applying technology to solve real-world challenges in agriculture? University College Dublin (UCD) is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity in its prestigious School of Veterinary Medicine, starting January 1, 2026.
This project, funded by the VistaMilk Research Centre, invites outstanding international applicants to work on revolutionizing the way dairy cattle lameness is detected and prevented.
Project Overview: Tackling Dairy Cattle Lameness with AI
Dairy cattle lameness is one of the biggest global welfare concerns in dairy production. Traditionally, farmers and veterinarians rely on human visual assessment, but these methods lack sensitivity and consistency. Even severe lesions are often missed due to inter- and intra-observer variability.
While new precision livestock technologies have emerged, most still depend on limited human scoring. This PhD project aims to break that barrier by combining machine vision with unsupervised predictive modeling to:
- Detect lameness in cows more accurately.
- Identify animals needing early treatment.
- Predict future lameness risks and their impact on performance.
The successful candidate will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary team at UCD, working in collaboration with the School of Mathematics and Statistics and VistaMilk’s national research network.
Scholarship Benefits
This is not just a PhD, but a prestigious scholarship package designed to support ambitious international students:
- Annual stipend: €25,000
- Tuition support: €5,500 per annum
- Duration: Four years (starting January 2026)
- Funded under the VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre, providing access to cutting-edge research resources and collaboration opportunities across multiple institutions.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for this competitive PhD, applicants must:
- Hold a primary degree (Level 8, 2H1 or higher) or a Master’s degree (Level 9) in Computer Science, Statistics, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
- Demonstrate high motivation and excellent communication skills in spoken and written English.
- Possess a full EU (B) driving license.
- Show strong coding proficiency in Python, with prior research or data management experience considered highly advantageous.
Why Choose UCD?
- Ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide.
- Ireland’s most globally engaged university, hosting over 38,000 students from 152 countries.
- Home to world-class research farms and labs, including the Lyons Estate.
- An ideal academic hub for students passionate about animal welfare, agriculture, and technology.
How to Apply?
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A brief letter of interest outlining motivation, qualifications, and relevant experience.
Submit applications via: https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/studywithus/feesfundingandscholarships/currentscholarshipopportunities/
Key Dates to Remember
The application deadline for this fully funded PhD opportunity at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine is 12 pm on 17 October 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews shortly after the closing date, with the final selection process concluding before the end of the year. The successful applicant will officially begin their scholarship and research work on 1 January 2026.
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