Our animal science research areas relate to animal health and welfare, environmental impact of livestock systems, and safety and quality of livestock products.

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an internationally recognised centre of excellence in Animal Sciences, drawing on fundamental research and applying it to areas of societal, industrial and policy importance.

Our research primarily involves:

farm livestock, domesticated animal and wildlife applied research
integrated livestock system development and evaluation
animal behaviour, health and welfare
survival, health and efficiency of nutrient utilisation

Opportunities are available for postgraduate research in the following areas:

Animal health and welfare

This ranges from fundamental work on understanding animal needs and behavioural problems, to mechanistic studies of health and disease at the molecular level. It also includes the development of practical on-farm monitoring and assessment methods.

Environmental impact of livestock systems

Our work examines the consequences of modifications in nutrition and husbandry and alterations in breeding strategies to improve the efficiency of resource use.

Safety and quality of livestock products, including milk, meat and eggs

Our 'field to fork' expertise allows us to study the relationships between husbandry systems and nutritional inputs of animals and the composition of their products, with further implications for human diet and health.