Subject: - Improving the survival and growth of piglets from large litters through nutritional interventions to suckling pigs. Duration: 3-4 months – tentative starting date in beginning of September 2023 (flexible) Location: Agroscope, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland. Weaning is a critical step in pigs’ life. Pigs face multifactorial challenges which lead reduced feed intake, impaired gut development and a high incidence of diarrhoea. We will investigate various sow and piglet nutritional strategies to reduce weaning stress and facilitate the transition from liquid sows’ milk to solid feed. Measurements will include growth, feed intake and feeding behaviour. For instance, different creep feeding strategies will be offered to the piglets and live + camera observations of individual piglet feeding behaviour will be recorded. For this each piglet in each litter will be individually marked. Using this data, piglets can be classified as eaters or non-eaters of creep feed and percentage of eaters in each litter can be calculated. Primary Responsibilities: Collecting data in the pig unit o Live and camera observations of piglet behaviour o weighing and collecting faecal, blood and milk samples o Following pigs 2 weeks after weaning Compiling data Contributing to reports Participating in internal meetings Preferred Qualifications: Interest in animals and animal science Willingness to learn Positive and professional attitude English (proficient) Applicant must be currently enrolled in Bachelor or Master degree at higher education institution. Accommodation will be provided for students and it is possible to apply to European funding opportunities like Erasmus grants. Supervisors: Shiv Vasa, Giuseppe Bee Email CV and a cover letter to ShivRamveer.Vasa@teagasc.ie