From 2008 to 2012, Dr Whelan undertook a PhD in animal nutrition at UCD.  During this time he conducted  research trials on nitrogen metabolism in lactating dairy cows. He also delivered nutrition and animal management modules to undergraduates in agricultural science and veterinary medicine.

From 2012 to 2014, he was the main research scientist on an Enterprise Ireland funded project examining mineral delivery technologies for ruminant animals. He also continued his role as a college lecturer at UCD and was interim coordinator for the Dairy Business Degree.

From 2014 to 2016 Dr Whelan was Research and Development manager for dairy nutrition at AHDB. This was a wide ranging portfolio including the environmental impact of livestock production, the nutritional qualities of dairy product as well as delivery of various campaigns on the nutrition of the lactating dairy cow and the replacement heifer.

Since joining SETU in 2016, Dr Whelan has led the agricultural programme team at the Wexford Campus, working with his colleagues on the implementation of semesterisation, growing the number of agri-degrees offered and increasing significantly the number of research projects in sustainable agrifood. Dr Whelan lecturers in animal science modules.

Dr Whelan is programme director for the BSc in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness (Wexford and China). He is also programme director for the BSc in Organic Agriculture. His main teaching focus is on sustainable agriculture, delivering modules in:

• Animal Nutrition
• Animal Product Quality
• Biology
• Ruminant Animal Production
• Animal Health and Welfare

Dr Whelan's research interests are mainly related to sustainable food production, particularly sustainable animal production systems. In more recent times, his research interest has shifted to organic agriculture and factors that can contirbute to the developement of the organic sector in Ireland.