This is a NERC funded SUPER-DTP studentship, a highly prized integrated PhD training programme, and a CASE-studentship with SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency), the Scottish environment regulator.
Project Background
The alarming rise in resistance to antibiotics is now widely accepted as being one of the most serious public health crises we face today. Recent studies indicate that the natural environment is a significant contributor to the emergence and transmission of resistant pathogens. Resistance is selected in environments polluted with antibiotic residues, heavy metals and other chemicals of emerging concern. The River Almond catchment area has all the ingredients of an antibiotic resistance transmission and selection “hotspot”. Including nine waste-water treatment plants, numerous combined sewer overflows and septic tanks, farm animal waste, mining discharge and landfill sites.
This project will quantify the levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in a river catchment, evaluate potential sources of antibiotic resistance pollution and assess links between potential sources, prevalence of resistance and concentration of chemicals which select resistance. Such surveillance is key to inform public health interventions and the baseline data gathered in this project will inform suitable intervention targets.
Aim
To determine the abundance of antibiotic resistance (ARB) and genes (ARG) and investigate the links with antibiotic resistance selective chemicals along a river impacted by multiple pollution sources in order to provide a baseline for future risk assessment and intervention strategies.
Objectives
1. Use culture dependant and qPCR to detect and quantify ARB and ARG along the length of the River Almond.
2. Identify the major sources of antibiotic resistance pollution in the River Almond, focussing on point sources (WWTP, combined Sewer Overflow, mining discharge) and diffuses sources (agricultural sites) using GIS data and Microbial Source Tracking.
3. Determine the potential relationship between the abundance of ARB and ARG and the concentration of antibiotic resistance selective chemicals.
4. Using metataxonomic and WGS investigate whether “naturalized” (environmental) E. coli, as distinct from enteric E. coli, can be used as indicators of environmental selection of resistance.
SUPER-DTP/CASE Studentship
The SUPER-DTP (The Scottish Universities Partnership for Environmental Research - Doctoral Training Partnership) training approach to your professional development is formalised in an innovative PGCert programme. It also includes an opportunity for an industrial internship and presentation of your work at national and international conferences. All of which will enhance your employment potential across a range of different disciplines and sectors (e.g. academic, industry, regulatory).
In addition, as a CASE-student with SEPA your employment opportunities will be further enhanced through providing you with experience in bathing water analysis, shadowing SEPAs regulatory teams, in depth knowledge of SEPA monitoring programmes, interpretation of data and responses to adverse incidents and events. As a SUPER DTP student, you will also benefit from inter-institutional support and shared training through the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology (MAST) for Scotland. You will be based at Edinburgh Napier University, with frequent visits to the University of the West of Scotland and in various SEPA locations.
Academic qualifications
A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in Microbiology/Environmental Microbiology/Biology, or a Master’s degree in a relevant field, with good fundamental knowledge/experience of techniques used to study microorganisms.
English language requirement
IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.
Essential attributes:
· Experience of fundamental microbiology
· Competent in research skills, data analysis and presentation, and problem-solving
· Knowledge of molecular biology
· Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary environment with good communication skills
· Good written and oral communication skills
· Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
· Good time management
Desirable attributes:
• Experience of GIS-based spatial analysis
• Experience of qPCR
• Experience of chemical analysis
• Experience of whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis
• Good statistical skills
• Full clean driving licence
To apply, please click on the ‘Institution Website’ link on the right-hand side of this page. SCROLL DOWN PAST THE FEES INFORMATION AND FUNDING SECTION TO THE 'PhD' SECTION, where you choose ‘PHD APPLIED SCIENCES full-time’.
When applying, please quote the application reference SAS0180 on your form.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
· Completed application form
· CV
· 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)
· A personal research statement. This should include
o (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills,
o (b) an indication of what you would uniquely bring to the project and
o (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.
· Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)
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