PhD Research Project

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Microbiology of the gut

Institution:

University of Reading

Dept/School/Faculty:

Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences

PhD Supervisor:

Prof M.J. Woodward

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

Project Overview: Applications are invited for two three year PhD studentships opportunities to study the microbiology of the gut focusing on interventions to control food borne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in food animal production. The successful candidates will start Oct 2012 joining highly motivated and well-funded research teams located within the high class facilities in the microbiology group of the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences (FNS) situated on the main University ‘Whiteknights’ campus. The FNS department is part of a wider multidisciplinary group working on many aspects of food security interacting with animal and microbial sciences, agriculture, pharmacy and chemistry.

Abstract: Bacterial persistence in the gut of food borne pathogens such as E. coli O157, Salmonella Typhimurium and Enteritis and Campylobacter jejuni and coli and the acquisition of antibiotic resistance remain two of the most significant issues for food producers because of the potential consequences for human health. In food animal production, the need is to control these pathogens and a variety of approaches such as vaccination, antimicrobials including currently available antibiotics and phytochemicals, feed additives such as pre- and probiotics and feed treatments such as acidification have been used with varying degrees of success. These two studentships will focus up the impact of defined antimicrobial treatments in poultry and pigs to assess the adaptation of the microbiome to the applied pressure and the impact upon specific pathogens. The two studentships will both apply metagenomic approaches to study the gut microbiota: one will be used to interrogate changes in the microbiome and specifically to understand blooms of resistant organisms and the other will assess increases in horizontal gene transfer during population blooms.
Training: The successful candidates will receive training in a raft of experimental skills, ranging from in vivo studies through to cutting-edge post genomics. The studies will be highly collaborative working across many departments of Reading University and key collaborating institutes

Funding Notes:

Eligibility:
Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelors Degree in a relevant subject. Due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is only open to candidates from the UK/EU.

Funding Details:
The studentships commence in October 2012, are for three years in duration and will cover Tuition Fees and stipend.

How to apply: To apply for this studentship please submit a PhD application to the University – see http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/apply/pg-applicationform.aspx

Further Enquiries: For further details please contact Professor Woodward informally by e-mail (m.j.woodward@reading.ac.uk)