Already attracting significant interest, the announcement of the project is timely, driven by the escalating threat of infectious diseases which are transmitted by airborne insects and other arthropods such as midges, mosquitoes, and ticks.
With climate change, habitat damage, and invasive species increasing risks around the world, Ross Cuthbert, lecturer in Environmental Change Biology at QUB believes the research project is of great value to the agricultural industry:
“The recent detection of blue tongue virus in County Down not only brings this issue to our doorstep but highlights the urgent need for action.
“Thanks to the strength of our partnership with Ai Services and AgriSearch this PhD project offers the very best blend of academic and industry expertise. It creates a unique opportunity to combine community ecology, pest management, and agricultural science with cutting edge experimental and analytical approaches.
“As such the successful student will be able to build on recent research advances and hopefully pioneer innovative, sustainable strategies to help the agricultural sector manage and minimise the threat of vector-borne disease in the future.”
As an organisation which is leading in the advancement of livestock genetics, Ai Services is committed to supporting this important research. Debbie McConnell, Group Scientist said: “Northern Ireland’s livestock industry is home to world-class genetics which will play a vital future role in advancing the environmental sustainability, economic efficiency and resilience of our food production systems. As a result, it is imperative that we can protect our livestock from emerging threats including vector-borne diseases.”
“Ai Services is delighted to collaborate on this important research to not only help secure the future of our livestock industry but also develop the next generation of agri-researchers.”
AgriSearch, the farmer-funded research and innovation body is also supporting the PhD project and its Strategy Manager, Jason Rankin said:
“Since it was founded in 1997 AgriSearch’s PhD Scholarship programme has helped build much knowledge and skills. Many of our former PhD students (such as Debbie McConnell) are now in leadership positions throughout the agri-food sector. This will be the 30th PhD Scholarship that AgriSearch has supported and as events of the last few weeks have demonstrated, this will build knowledge and expertise in an area of critical importance for the future of NI’s ruminant livestock sector. We are delighted to partner with Ai Services and QUB in the funding and delivery of this PhD.”
Applications for the fully-funded PhD opportunity - Novel integrated management strategies to mitigate vector-borne disease threats to agricultural industries | PhD Opportunities | Queen's University Belfast – are open until 16 January 2026 and includes an enhanced stipend, tuition fee payment and generous running costs.