Precision livestock farming is transforming how animal health and welfare are monitored on farms. However, many current monitoring systems rely primarily on visual or activity-based sensors, meaning important behavioural and physiological signals may be missed. Sound within livestock environments contains a wealth of information about animal behaviour, health and emotional state, yet it remains relatively under-utilised in commercial dairy systems.

This PhD will investigate how bioacoustics and artificial intelligence can be combined to develop automated, non-invasive approaches for assessing dairy cattle welfare. The project will explore how acoustic information generated by cattle and their surrounding environment can be analysed to identify patterns associated with behaviour, health status and welfare.

The research will involve collecting and analysing sound data from dairy housing environments, linking acoustic patterns to behavioural and health indicators, and developing computational models capable of detecting meaningful welfare-related signals. The project will also explore how acoustic information may be integrated with other forms of farm data to improve the reliability of automated welfare assessment.

The successful candidate will undertake a structured training programme at the start of the PhD to develop skills in areas such as programming, data analysis, machine learning and signal processing. This will provide the technical foundation required to work with large acoustic datasets and develop analytical approaches relevant to livestock systems.

In addition to technical training, the student will gain experience in animal behaviour and welfare research, precision livestock technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration between animal science and data science.

The PhD will be based at Harper Adams University and co-supervised with Nottingham Trent University.

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, a Master’s degree (MSc) in a relevant discipline such as:

• Animal Sciences

• Veterinary Medicine

• Veterinary Sciences

• Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Strong quantitative skills are desirable. Prior experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:

• Behavioural observation and welfare assessment

• Dairy cattle management

• Bioacoustics or signal analysis

• Programming in Python or R

• Statistical modelling

Applicants without prior AI experience are encouraged to apply, as structured AI/ML training will be provided.

Dairy Cattle Welfare | Bioacoustics | Precision Livestock Farming | Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning | Deep Learning | Animal Behaviour | Acoustic Biomarkers | Sustainable Agriculture | Digital Farming

Closing Date: 30 Jun 2026

Department: Self-Funded Research Degrees

Applicants must have their own, their employer's or their Government's funding. A letter of "Confirmation of funding" must be attached/uploaded during the application process.

Candidates should supply a brief research proposal of 2-4 pages.  This should include a brief literature review to the research question including identification of the knowledge gaps, clearly identify the aims of the research and briefly detail the methodology and resources required. 

If candidates do not have a specific research proposal prepared, then they should write two or three sentences on an academic area of interest in which they wish to study for a PhD.

If a more detailed proposal is required for an external funding body, then candidates should discuss this with potential supervisors before they write the proposal.

Please state on your application if you are applying for a MPhil or PhD.

Where you are required to upload a document that is not appropriate, please upload a word document stating "Not Applicable".

Please note that due to the time required to conduct the recruitment process, a minimum time to be able to provide an offer letter is typically two weeks.

For international students (non UK/EU), the closing date for applications for a October 2024 start is 31 May 2024.  

For UK/EU students, the closing date for applications for a October 2024 start is 31 August 2024.   

If you have not received contact within 4 weeks of submission please assume we have been unable to support your application at this stage.

Closing Date: 04 Nov 2025

Department: Self-Funded Research Degrees

This form is only to be used by those self-funded applicants seeking a place on a research degree programme at Harper Adams University (MPhil or PhD). Please see other listings for funded opportunities that may be available.

Applicants must have their own, their employer's or their Government's funding. A letter of "Confirmation of funding" must be attached/uploaded during the application process.

Candidates should supply a brief research proposal of 2-4 pages.  This should include a brief literature review to the research question including identification of the knowledge gaps, clearly identify the aims of the research and briefly detail the methodology and resources required. 

If candidates do not have a specific research proposal prepared, then they should write two or three sentences on an academic area of interest in which they wish to study for a PhD.

If a more detailed proposal is required for an external funding body, then candidates should discuss this with potential supervisors before they write the proposal.

Please state on your application if you are applying for a MPhil or PhD.

Where you are required to upload a document that is not appropriate, please upload a word document stating "Not Applicable".

Please note that due to the time required to conduct the recruitment process, a minimum time to be able to provide an offer letter following successful interview is typically two weeks.

The closing date for applications for an October 2026 start is Sunday 19th July 2026.  

If you have not received contact form the PGR Office within 4 weeks of submission please assume we have been unable to support your application at this stage.

Closing Date: 19 Jul 2026

Department: Self-Funded Research Degrees

HAU Staff Part-Time PhD 

If a member of staff would like to carry out a part-time (PT) PhD at HAU the following conditions apply.

• PT PhDs would run for 6 years.
• The proposed research project must align with the university’s research strategy and areas of research activity. 
• In an academic year only 1 member of staff per department/facility can start a PT PhD.
• Fees will be waivered against the continual professional development fund.
• Supervisors can apply for up to £10k from QR for project costs over the 6 years of the PhD.
• Half a day a week will be given for the PhD time under the work load model.
• If a member of staff leaves the employment of HAU within 2 years of completing their PhD they will be responsible for reimbursing the fees in line with HR policy.

Staff wishing to carry out a PT PhD at HAU should follow the following procedure.

Academic staff

• Staff to discuss their interest in carrying out a PT PhD with their PDR reviewer. If the PDR reviewer is not the applicant’s HoD the reviewer may also need to discuss this with the HoD. 
• By 31^stOctober – staff submit a PhD application through Stonefish. The application needs to include;
  • PhD proposal including identified supervisors and indicative project costs.
  • A letter explaining why they wish to carry out a PT PhD while employed by HAU.
  • A letter of support from their HoD which confirms that the time allocation of half a day a week has been agreed under the WL plan and this resource can be covered within the department. 
• November – all applications will be assessed with respect to the university’s standard PhD entry requirements and applicants will be informed about interviews as soon as is reasonably practical. Applications will be assessed by Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (ARVCR) and Director of Postgraduate Research (DoPGR).
• December/January – applicants will be interviewed by the APVCR, DoPGR, proposed DoS and a research active colleague with subject expertise. If successful the workload allocation will be made for the next academic year.
• Applicants will attend the PGR student induction and start their PhD end September/early October.

Professional Services and Technical staff follow the above procedure with sign off from their line manager and Head of Department. They can submit their application at any time and if successful they will be able to start their PhD on the next appropriate PhD start date (e.g. September/October, April) as agreed with their line manager and the PGR Office.

Closing Date: 25 Jun 2024

Department: Self-Funded Research Degrees