David Kenny

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) FEATURE (Future feeds for sustainability in European livestock production) is offering a fully funded 36-month PhD position at Teagasc Athenry, Ireland. This doctoral project focuses on the assessment of multispecies swards as forage protein in lambs, aiming to advance sustainable livestock production in Europe. The research will evaluate the nutritive value, digestibility, and methane mitigation potential of various sward compositions using advanced analytical techniques such as wet chemistry, rumen in sacco assessments, and in vitro analyses. Additionally, the project will assess sheep productivity, feed and nutrient use efficiency, energy use efficiency, methane emissions, and nitrogen outputs across different pasture types and sheep breeds. Another key component involves exploring the relationships between the rumen microbiome and metabolic pathways in sheep fed multispecies swards, utilizing bioinformatics, metagenomics, and metabolomics approaches. The project also includes an assessment of the impact of these swards on meat quality, organoleptic properties, and fatty acid composition. The successful candidate will benefit from interdisciplinary training, including secondments at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia for meat analysis and with an industry partner for feed evaluation and diet formulation. The FEATURE network comprises six academic institutes, five research organizations, and seven industry partners across seven European countries, providing a rich environment for interdisciplinary and international collaboration. Doctoral candidates will follow a personalized development plan, participate in training schools and workshops, and complete research secondments with industry partners, preparing them for leadership roles in sustainable food systems. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in animal science, agricultural science, biology, veterinary science, biochemistry, or a related field, and demonstrate strong interest and competence in sustainable livestock production, animal nutrition, and data analysis. Experience with animal nutrition trials or -omics data is advantageous but not required. Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree and must meet the mobility and eligibility criteria of the MSCA programme. English language proficiency is required as per University College Dublin’s doctoral admission standards. The position is fully funded under the MSCA-DN, offering a competitive salary, full employment contract, social security, and access to extensive training and professional development opportunities. The application deadline is 1 March 2026, and the position is expected to start on 1 July 2026. Applications should be submitted via the FEATURE Doctoral Network portal. For further information, contact Dr. N. Mittal ([email protected]) or Professor David Kenny ([email protected]).

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) FEATURE project, titled “Assessment of multispecies swards as forage protein in beef cattle production,” offers a fully funded 36-month PhD position at Teagasc Athenry, Ireland. This interdisciplinary doctoral project aims to advance sustainable livestock production by evaluating the nutritive value, digestibility, and methane mitigation potential of multispecies swards using advanced analytical techniques such as wet chemistry, rumen in sacco assessments, and in vitro analyses. The research will also assess productivity, feed and nutrient use efficiency, energy use efficiency, methane emissions, and nitrogen outputs in beef cattle of different breeds grazing on various pasture types. Further, the project will explore the relationships between the rumen microbiome and metabolic pathways in beef cattle fed multispecies swards, employing bioinformatics, metagenomics, and metabolomics approaches. The implications of these feeding strategies on beef quality, including organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid composition, will also be investigated. The doctoral candidate will benefit from training secondments at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia for meat analysis and with an industry partner for feed evaluation and diet formulation. The FEATURE network comprises six academic institutes, five research organisations, and seven industry partners across seven European countries, providing a rich environment for interdisciplinary training in sustainable and circular livestock production. Doctoral candidates will participate in training schools, workshops, and research secondments, and will follow a personalised development plan. The network is committed to fostering future research leaders in sustainability, resilience, and innovation within European food systems. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in animal science, agricultural science, biology, veterinary science, biochemistry, or a related discipline, and demonstrate strong interest in sustainable livestock production and animal nutrition. Competence in data handling and statistical analysis, good analytical and organisational skills, and strong English communication abilities are required. Experience with animal nutrition trials, feed or nutrient analysis, or -omics data interpretation is advantageous but not mandatory. Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree, must be eligible to enrol in a doctoral programme at University College Dublin, and must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment. English language proficiency must meet University College Dublin’s requirements. The successful candidate will be employed full-time under a fixed-term contract, with a competitive salary and full social security coverage, in accordance with MSCA Doctoral Network regulations. The position includes access to graduate training resources, interdisciplinary courses, transferable-skills workshops, and network-wide summer schools. Research secondments at partner organisations in other European countries are integral to the project. The FEATURE Doctoral Network values diversity, equality, and inclusion, and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Applications must be submitted via the FEATURE Doctoral Network online portal. The selection process is open, transparent, and merit-based, involving evaluation of academic qualifications, research experience, and motivation. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview. For more information, visit the FEATURE Doctoral Network website or contact the listed supervisors.