Positions & News

The Animal Behavior and Welfare Lab at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking one PhD student to work with Dr. Blair Downey, with a preferred start date of January 2027. This student will conduct research on the development and persistence of abnormal behaviors in dairy calves, particularly in relation to individual traits, management practices, or social environments. A competitive annual stipend, benefits, and tuition waiver will be provided.
 
Qualifications
The most competitive applicants will have:

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline, such as Animal Behavior, Psychology, Animal Science, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or related fields (e.g. neuroscience, biology)
• Research experience or strong interest in animal behavior and welfare
• Experience with statistics and/or programming (e.g. R, Python)
• Experience working with dairy cattle, or working in farm settings
• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written format)
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Ability to think critically and creatively
• A US driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one shortly after beginning this position

Please note that some interested candidates may not have had the opportunity to gain these skills, many of which can be learned on the job, or may have other skills not listed that will help them succeed in this position. If you believe you may be a suitable candidate, please do not hesitate to apply.
 
Application
To be considered, please email the following to Dr. Blair Downey ([email protected]) by September 30, 2026:

1. A cover letter (1-pg max) describing your interest and qualifications for the position
2. Up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
3. Unofficial copies of transcripts
4. Contact information for 2 professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Successful candidates will be required to apply for graduate study in the Animal Science Department, and must meet admission requirements to be accepted (https://animalscience.tennessee.edu/graduate-program-degree-options/).