Deadline: 31 May 2023
I. Background
Today’s food systems are extremely resource intensive, covering about 40% of the world’s ice and desert-free land and using about two-thirds of all freshwater withdrawals. One of the main causes of these environmental impacts is that our current food systems operate on a wasteful linear model.
The concept of ‘circular food systems’ is increasingly seen as a promising response to these environmental challenges, and as an important pathway to ensuring a sustainable food future. One of the principles states that monogastric farm animals should mainly convert feed ingredients that are inedible for humans (Circular Feed Ingredients (CFIs); industrial residuals, co-products, by-products, and waste products from food production and processing) into valuable food products, to recycle valuable biomass and nutrients back into the food system.
Pigs are specifically capable of upcycling CFIs from food production/consumption into valuable animal-source food. However, the impact of feeding mainly CFIs on pig performance and welfare is unknown, and no scientific study has yet explored the availability and nutritional quality of CFIs that are potentially suitable for pigs in Ireland.
This PhD project will assess the environmental and welfare consequences of feeding mainly CFIs to pigs. It will involve researching what CFIs are currently used in pig feed, which ones are available in Ireland, formulation of various CFI diets, and a live animal experiment which will investigate their effect regarding pig growth performance, health, and welfare. Literature and experimental data will be combined to determine how much pork could be produced in Ireland while minimizing the environmental impact and maximizing welfare.
The PhD candidate will be enrolled at the graduate school Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, which provides a training and support program to enable the PhD to develop into an independent researcher at the highest international level.
II. Requirements
- Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Animal, Agricultural or Veterinary Science, or other relevant discipline.
- The successful candidate should be self-motivated and be willing to liaise directly with stakeholders in the pig supply chain.
- The candidate must be proficient in both written and spoken English.
- Award
- The PhD Scholarship is a joint project between Teagasc and Wageningen University & Research. The student will be primarily based at Teagasc, Moorepark, Co. Cork Ireland, but also regularly
visit to, among other activities, complete university training modules in Wageningen. - The studentship is for 4 years with a grant of €24,000 per annum, which is intended to cover both student stipend and university fees.
- The Scholarship will start as soon as possible after 1st of
September 2023 when the most suitable candidate is appointed.
- Application Procedure
- An electronic copy of a Curriculum Vitae (including the names and contact details of two referees) and a cover letter, which should describe your interest in the project and the relevance of your academic training to this Scholarship, should be sent to: Dr Keelin O’Driscoll: [email protected] and Prof. Imke de Boer: [email protected]
- Closing date 31 May 2023, with interviews expected during June 202