PhD International: Digital Approaches to Calf Health and Welfare in Commercial Farms French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) in France

This international PhD position at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) offers a unique opportunity to advance the health and welfare of calves in commercial farms using cutting-edge digital approaches. The research will be conducted within the Joint Research Unit Interactions Hôtes–Agents Pathogènes (UMR IHAP), located at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse (ENVT), a multidisciplinary hub for animal infectiology and welfare research. The project is part of a large, multi-country consortium involving leading institutions across Europe, ensuring a rich exchange of expertise in microbiology, immunology, animal behavior, bioacoustics, digital farming, and structural biology.

The PhD aims to enhance the sustainability of cattle production systems by developing innovative, non-invasive methods to assess and protect calf health and welfare under real commercial conditions. Precision livestock farming technologies will be used to analyze behavioral patterns, microphone-based acoustic signals (including AI-driven cough detection), and physiological sensor data such as accelerometers and ruminal boluses. Key objectives include identifying early welfare indicators, analyzing behavioral responses to health challenges, developing AI-based acoustic models for welfare assessment, integrating digital sensor data into welfare phenotyping, linking welfare indicators to sustainable production outcomes, and contributing to decision-support tools for farmers.

The first phase of the thesis will be conducted at a fully equipped commercial farm in Lleida, Spain, validated for its safety standards and operational capacity. This facility houses over 10,000 animals and provides the infrastructure for longitudinal research under real farming conditions. Secure containment systems ensure the safety of both animals and personnel during procedures such as blood collection, nasal swabs, and fecal sampling. Following the experimental phase, the student will spend time at IRTA (Monells, Spain) and at ENVT in Toulouse, France, benefiting from the international network and collaborative environment.

Applicants must hold a Master/Ingénieur (Bac+5) degree or equivalent in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, ethology, or related fields. Proficiency in scientific English is required, along with experience or interest in digital breeding technologies, data analysis, statistics, or modelling (R, Python, or similar), and precision livestock technologies. The ideal candidate should be curious, rigorous, motivated for sustainability and ethical livestock production, and comfortable working in both controlled research settings and commercial farms. Skills in behavioral and acoustic data analysis, multidisciplinary approaches, autonomy, critical sense, organization, and motivation for longitudinal follow-up in breeding are essential. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to collaborate within an international team are required.

The position is fully funded through an EU programme, covering stipend and research expenses. The application deadline is May 31, 2026, and the position starts on October 1, 2026. To apply, visit the ADUM website and follow the instructions provided. For further information, contact Núria Mach ([email protected]) or Antonio Velarde ([email protected]). This PhD offers a chance to contribute to innovative research in animal welfare, digital farming, and sustainable livestock production within a vibrant international consortium.