A One Health Analysis of Tuberculosis Risk in Cats, Livestock, People and the Environment - Biosciences, PhD (BBSRC SWBio DTP Funded)

The South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) is a BBSRC-funded PhD training programme in the biosciences, delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bristol (lead), Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, and Rothamsted Research. Together, these institutions present a distinctive cadre of bioscience research staff and students with established international, national and regional networks and widely recognised research excellence. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching in partnership with industry and government.

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).

Supervisory Team:

Main supervisor: Prof Robbie McDonald
Co-supervisor: Prof David Hodgson
Co-supervisor: Prof Dez Delahay
Co-supervisor: Prof Danielle Gunn-Moore

Location: University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall

Project description:

The increasing incidence of emerging infectious diseases in animals presents a challenge to the health and welfare of people, as well as their managed animals. This project will take a collaborative ‘One Health’ approach to understanding the potential for transmission of zoonoses among people, their managed animals (livestock and companion animals) and wildlife. The PhD will focus on a model system of mycobacterial infections that can cause tuberculosis in cats, livestock, wildlife and people.

The student will examine the risks of cats acquiring and transmitting mycobacterial infections. The project will involve field studies of cat behaviour and foraging and interaction with actual and potential disease hosts (animals and humans) and potential sources of infection in the environment. The study will take place in disease hotspots, and will employ a range of telemetry and proximity-sensing technologies in the field as well as cutting edge diagnostic approaches and stable isotope analyses in the laboratory. It will be a collaboration between researchers at the University of Exeter, Animal and Plant Health Agency and The Roslin Institute and will provide training across a range of techniques and approaches in disease biology. The project will suit an interdisciplinary thinking biologist or veterinarian interested in developing a One Health approach to understanding and controlling important infections in animals and people.

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Masters degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.

In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification or experience is required.

If English is not your first language you will need to have achieved at least 6.5 in IELTS and no less than 6.5 in any section by the start of the project. Alternative tests may be acceptable, please see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/language-requirements/profile-c/.

Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award but no stipend. Applicants who are classed as International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding. Further information about eligibility can be found in the following document: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/documents/studentship-eligibility-pdf/