Farm Management for Reduced Antimicrobial Resistance

This project is offered as part of the Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR: https://www.findaphd.com/search/PhDDetails.aspx?CAID=3755

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to humanity. There are ways that we can reduce resistance, but these are at an early stage of development. Crucially, we need methods that will be adopted by those that use antibiotics. In agriculture, antibiotics are used to treat animal diseases and this is one area where we can influence AMR. However, research at the University of Nottingham has shown that resistance is a complex process that takes place through the wider farm system. In particular, storage and spreading of animal slurry offers opportunities to intervene and reduce AMR. This interdisciplinary project will assess the impact of different management practices on AMR on UK dairy farms. You will construct and use farm-level models, Monte-Carlo Analysis and information from the current Nottingham ‘EVAL-FARMS’ project to identify practices that are both adoptable on farms and have the potential to reduce AMR through the farm system. Expertise in mathematical modelling, optimisation techniques, Linear Programming or similar and Monte Carlo Analysis would be desirable. This is an exciting opportunity to join an existing, interdisciplinary, research group with access to excellent farm and training facilities and to make a contribution to reducing the global threat of AMR. The successful candidate will be embedded in the BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership at Nottingham which will provide additional training opportunities and local student cohort activities.

Apply here: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/apply-online.aspx

Please give the project title and name of the main supervisor. You do not need to provide a research proposal as requested on the form; instead indicate that you are applying for a Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR Research funded project. For informal enquiries or help with the application, please contact [Email Address Removed]