Exploiting insects as feed for sustainable salmon farming - identifying the risks of pathogen transfer within the production chain

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to carry out novel interdisciplinary PhD research in applied environmental pathology, public health & sustainable aquaculture. The successful candidate will work in a vibrant, collaborative research environment and join an ambitious team that focuses on a number of sustainability and disease-related topics. The start date of the project is 1st June 2015, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Background: Insects are a valuable source of protein with great potential for increasing food security, but there are still many barriers to overcome before insects are accepted as an integral part of the human diet. However, insects possess great potential to efficiently convert waste organic matter (for example, waste seaweed biomass) into a high value source of protein and fat. Subsequently, producing & refining insect larvae grown on organic waste into a high quality product is currently being exploited to provide a sustainable source of fishmeal in aquaculture systems. This win-win situation provides sustainable solutions for both waste management and food security. For the sustainability of this production system however, there needs to be robust standards for quality control & food safety and in particular the potential for the transfer & survival of human pathogens throughout this novel food production chain.

The overarching aim of this studentship is to understand the potential risks of environmental pathogen transfer & survival via the use of insects as feed ingredients for sustainable salmon farming in the North Atlantic. The project will focus on human (E. coli O157, Salmonella & Vibrio spp.) and fish (e.g. Vibrio anguillarum) pathogens during the environmental aspects of the insect production chain, e.g. harvesting & processing seaweed biomass washed up onto beaches, and producing insects at an industrial scale.

Key Research Questions:
1. To what extent is the level of seaweed contamination by pathogens determined by (a) seaweed species and (b) the environment?
2. How is pathogen survival and transfer affected by seaweed processing methods?
3. Can insects facilitate pathogen survival and increase contamination within the production chain?

This interdisciplinary project will link environmental microbiology, insect ecology, sustainable aquaculture and public health. The successful candidate will be based at the University of Stirling, supervised by Dr Richard Quilliam & Dr David Oliver and will become embedded in the ‘Environmental Sustainability & Human Health’ research group. The student will also benefit from close collaboration with the Institute of Aquaculture, who are currently running complementary research projects in Africa.

The project is being joint-funded by The National Institute of Nutrition & Seafood Research (NIFES) in Norway, as part of the ‘Aquafly’ project, and the student will spend significant periods of time in Norway carrying out field work and laboratory research with our collaborators in Bergen and Oslo.

This studentship is only open to UK/EU applicants. Funding is available for 3 years. The entry qualification is a first class or upper second class honours degree and/or a relevant postgraduate degree, in either biological/environmental sciences or aquaculture. Whilst experience in microbiology or the handling of insects would be useful, it is certainly not essential as the student will receive full laboratory training.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr. Richard Quilliam: http://rsquilliam.wordpress.com/

Application deadline is Friday 24th April 2015. Interviews have been provisionally set for 5-8th May.

Please email a CV and covering letter with the contact details (including email addresses) of two referees to Dr Richard Quilliam ([Email Address Removed]). Your covering letter should clearly set out your suitability and motivation for this PhD with reference to your past experience and achievements.