mardi 9 février 2016

MSc or PhD POSITIONS

University of Guelph – Department of Animal Biosciences
Université Laval - Department of Animal Science

ALTERNATIVE PIG PRODUCTION: PASTURE-BASED SYSTEM FOR GESTATING SOWS
 
Date: Thesis MSc or PhD to start in May or September 2016.
 
Subject: Behaviour of gestating sows in pasture-based systems.
 
Description: This study is part of a research program on alternative pig production which aims at evaluating the potential of outdoor pig production as an efficient and sustainable production model in Canada. Several opportunities for MSc or PhD studies are offered to work on one or several aspects of this research program: sow feeding preferences for different forages, value of fresh forage for gestating sow in pasture-based system, outdoor management strategies of gestating sows in warm temperature and/or housing of peri-parturient sows in a pasture-based system. The student(s) will do a literature review of the existing knowledge on the subject in pigs and other farm species and then carry out the experimental protocol, collect and analyse data, and finally write reports and scientific articles.
Research will be conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research and Development Centre in Sherbrooke (QC, Canada) in collaboration with University of Guelph (ON, Canada), Université Laval (QC, Canada) and University of Newcastle (UK). Students will be registered at University of Guelph or Université Laval. The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Nicolas Devillers (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Dr. Renée Bergeron (U. Guelph) and Dr. Frédéric Guay (U. Laval). A stipend will be provided through the research grant.
 
Candidate skills: B.Sc. or MSc in animal science, animal biology or veterinary science
Motivation for the study of animal welfare and behaviour
Knowledge of animal biology, especially animal behaviour and nutrition
Knowledge of computer (Pack Office) and statistical analysis
Practical experience in ethology or in pig production would be an asset
 
For information, please contact Dr. Nicolas Devillers
 
 For application, please send a CV, a motivation letter and contact information for two references.
Dr. Nicolas Devillers
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre
2000 College street
Sherbrooke, Qc, J1M 0C8
Phone number: 819 780 7223
Email: Nicolas.Devillers@agr.gc.ca