PhD Researcher

About the Project

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We are seeking a dynamic and passionate PhD student to join our team and help drive enhancements to livestock health and welfare through AI based monitoring. Through this PhD, you will have the unique opportunity to gain an exceptional skillset through interdisciplinary collaboration between the UoN School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Vet Vision AI, Map of Ag and Sainsbury’s; helping to shape the future of the animal health and welfare.

This PhD aims to develop and deploy cutting-edge computer vision algorithms alongside veterinary insights to monitor dairy cow health and welfare outcomes accurately and automatically. Numerous health and management problems negatively impact dairy cow welfare and productivity. However, many of these are preventable. Current processes to improve health and welfare depend on veterinary consultants and welfare auditors visiting farms to make recommendations. However, this can be subjective, expensive, and important information may be missed. The use of AI to automatically monitor health and welfare outcomes will provide a method to revolutionise improvements to management practices, whilst also empowering vets, farmers, and industry stakeholders.

Successful applicants will be based in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science Ruminant Population Health team, a close-knit team environment within which mentoring, collaboration and idea sharing is strongly promoted. They will also work directly with experienced computer vision developers at Vet Vision AI; a spinout company from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science on a mission to revolutionise livestock health and welfare by combining veterinary insights and computer vision technology.

This PhD aims to combine world leading veterinary expertise and livestock domain knowledge with advanced skills in computer vision and machine learning. The aim is to translate this knowledge into cutting edge solutions that will help farmers and veterinary surgeons improve the lives of millions of animals worldwide.

Alongside the opportunity for academic research and publication, this PhD provides the opportunity to deploy these algorithms on real commercial farms, providing the chance to see research translated directly into improvements for animal health, welfare, and productivity.

If you are a passionate veterinarian or animal scientist with a drive to use your skills to make a real difference, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our mission to revolutionise animal health and welfare.

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Further information and Application

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate degree or a minimum of a 2.2 degree and a Master’s degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Nutrition or similar subjects.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the principal supervisor: robert.hyde4@nottingham.ac.uk

Candidates should apply online and include a CV. When completing the online application form, please select the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, then PhD Veterinary Medicine and Science (48m) and, once submitted, send your student ID number to SV-PG-VET@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.

Any queries regarding the application process should be addressed to SV-PG-VET@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.

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Interview Date: TBC

Start Date: 1st April 2025