Researcher Recruitment
This page is designed as a platform for Animal Welfare Researchers to advertise their availability for work and to highlight their key skills. If you have a position you are looking to fill or a project you need someone to work on, hopefully you will find the person you need here. Please note that we have agreed to add the details of any AWRN members who request an advert and therefore potential employers should not consider their presence on this page as an endorsement from AWRN. If you wish to have your details added or have a question about any of the information on this page please just get in touch.
Patrizia Paci 
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Open University, in the UK. I first trained as an animal physiologist and ecologist before gaining a Ph.D. in Animal-Computer Interaction.
Summary of Interests
My research interests are driven by the goal of improving animals’ affective welfare through the design of animal-centred technologies, settings, and environments that enable less invasive human interventions on animals’ lives. My past and current research includes: Ethological observations and measuring of cats’ reactions to animal-borne biotelemetry; wearer-centred design in wildlife biotelemetry; physical prototyping of animal-centred devices for cats and working dogs; analysis of animals’ interaction with animal-centred interfaces; Mobility Assistance Dogs smart-working environment design; manifestation of privacy behaviours in non-human animals; cognitive and digital enrichment for zoo animals.
Area of Expertise
My Ph.D. and current postdoc research have focused on the analysis of the behaviour of animals interacting with human-made technologies. I specialised on observing and measuring the behavioural effects that biotelemetry systems have on domestic cats to understand individuals’ experiences with body-attached devices. I have also worked with medical detection dogs and mobility assistance dogs to observe their interaction with pads and sensors and design canine-centred mechanical interfaces. I am currently involved in bid writing to propose the development of animal-centred technologies to deploy in zoological parks and sanctuaries and to serve wildlife conservation strategies.
Key Skills
Quantitative and qualitative research methods, research project management and coordination, external collaborations, prototyping.
Other Key Information
Currently based in the UK, looking for a Research Associate position starting from 15th April 2022.
Twitter Account: @PatzPaci
