Summer Intern - Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle
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Location: Ruakura, Hamilton, New Zealand
Fixed Term – 12 weeks
Hours: 40 per week
Summer Student Intern – Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle
Grow your research skills in a world-class science environment
Are you interested in animal science, animal welfare, dairy farming, and technology-driven research? Join our team this summer and contribute to research investigating how environmental conditions influence heat stress in dairy cattle. This project will explore the role of weather parameters with a particular focus on warm, humid conditions, on the physiological heat stress response of dairy cows and help improve our understanding of animal welfare, heat mitigation and productivity in a changing climate.
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What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua
- Assist with setting up and running on-farm experiments investigating heat stress responses in dairy cattle.
- Support the testing and deployment of technologies used to measure physiological and behavioural responses, including sweating rate devices, infrared thermography, rumen temperature sensors, and acoustic monitoring equipment.
- Collect, organise, and manage research data, and assist with preliminary data analysis using Excel and/or statistical software such as R.
- Work alongside researchers to monitor animal responses and contribute to the successful delivery of the research project.
- Learn from experienced researchers in a collaborative scientific environment.
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What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako
To be successful in this role, the minimum qualifications required are:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme in Animal Science, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related discipline.
- An interest in animal health, welfare, behaviour, livestock production systems, or agricultural research.
- A willingness to work on-farm and in close proximity to dairy cattle. Experience working with dairy cattle is desirable but not essential.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to accurately collect and manage data.
- An interest in data analysis and the use of technology to answer research questions.
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Why join us?
This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to research that supports improved dairy cattle welfare and productivity. You'll gain hands-on experience working with livestock, research technologies, and data analysis while contributing to projects that help farmers better understand and manage the impacts of heat stress on dairy cattle.
A copy of the Position Description is available for you to view here.
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What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga
- Exposure to a professional research environment.
- Practical experience with animal-based research, on-farm trials, and innovative livestock monitoring technologies.
- Hands-on experience collecting, managing, and analysing scientific data.
- Mentoring and support from experienced scientists.
- Opportunities to strengthen your scientific communication, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
- Valuable experience to support future study and career opportunities in animal science, agricultural research, and the dairy sector.
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About us | Ko wai mātou
We've built something new. AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion have come together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. We are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.
Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.
For further details about the Bioeconomy Science Institute can be found on our website, watch this Bioeconomy Science Institute short clip.
Ready to Apply? | Kua rite koe ki te tono?
If you're enthusiastic about science and keen to apply your studies in a research setting, we'd love to hear from you. Bring your curiosity, motivation, and willingness to learn, and join us for an exciting summer research experience.