2 positions Master's Student Internship in Equine Research

• Duration: 6 months between Jan.2026 and Sept. 2026
• Location: Animal group, Dptmt of Biosystems and Technology - SLU (Alnarp, SWEDEN)/ + Field work INRAE Nouzilly France
• Supervisor: PhD Océane Liehrmann 
• Application deadline: 20.11.2025

Project Overview: This internship offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the advancement of equine welfare assessment through the application of state-of-the-art infrared thermal imaging technology. Working under the guidance of researchers experts in their field, participants will investigate the intricate relationship between facial temperature variations and equine emotional states and pain perception. Through analysis of video data collected during experiments conducted on horses in 2023, interns will acquire invaluable skills in behavioral coding, data extraction from thermal imaging videos, and statistical analysis methods.

Profile Seeking: I am seeking for enthusiastic students completing an MSc degree in behavioral ecology, ethology, or physiology. Previous experience with horses and knowledge of equine behaviors will be preferred. Proficiency in English is required, as the team is international. Basic knowledge of statistical analyses and R programming would be appreciated but not mandatory.

Place and Conditions of the Internship: The internship will be hosted at the Research Campus of Alnarp, Sweden. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide direct financial assistance. Non Swedish applicants must secure travel grants, research grants, or join with exchange program such as Erasmus to cover living expenses in Sweden. However, 3 months of fieldwork/thesis writting in France will be covered so you won't have to pay accomodation for that time. 

 
IMPORTANT: The data are already collected, so there is no fieldwork associated with this project, but you will have the possibility to join the fieldwork of another project with the same population of horses to get some hands on experiments. This way you have the garantee to already have high quality data for your project but still gets fieldwork experience. Fieldwork is in France, accomodation and travels to the experimental station will be paid for you during the duration of the fieldwork. (NB: If you are from france, then your return will be covered unless you want to come back to Sweden after May). During the Fieldwork, program will be organise to ensure that you get daily time allocated to your MSc thesis. 

The Team and Supervision Support: Under the guidance of Dr. Océane Liehrmann , you will be welcomed into the vibrant research environment. Engage in research group activities, weekly meetings, and collaborative discussions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Code horse behavior using specialized software from experiments involving various emotional stimuli.
• Extract and analyze heart rate variations and thermal imaging data.
• Assist in statistical analyses to identify correlations between behavioral responses, heart rate, and facial temperature variation.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a Master's program in a relevant field (animal sciences, veterinary degree, physiology…).
• If you are in a gap year, you must ensure to be associated with a university which will provide internship contract.
• Funding source from Travel or research grant or possibility to benefit from exchange programs such as Erasmus. 
• Good knowledge of horse behaviour is a plus but not mandatory.

Benefits:

• Hands-on experience in research using infrared thermal imaging
• Training in behavioral coding software.
• Insight into equine behavior and welfare research.
• Mentorship from experienced researchers.
• Potential for authorship on academic publications.

Application Process: To apply, please email at oceane.liehrmann(at)slu.se with the object " IRT internship 2026" : a cover letter outlining your interest in the project, relevant experience, and how your skills align with the requirements outlined above. Additionally, include a current CV highlighting your academic background and any research experience.

Deadline: 20.11.2025

Testimonies from former students I supervised