NSP degradation through key microbiota in broiler chickens PhD Studentship (three years)

Harper Adams University (HAU) has the above research studentship available in the Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences Department. The project is funded by AB Vista Feed Ingredients and Harper Adams University.

Degradation of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in the intestinal tract is limited by inadequate amounts of endogenous enzymes produced by the commensal microbiota. The stimulation of those bacterial species producing xylanases (XYL) may be strategy to improve fibre and hence diet digestibility. Thus, the objective of this project is to determine whether the presence of a more fibrolytic microbiota can be established earlier in the life of the chicken and whether the nature of different fibrous sources determines the success of such a strategy.

The studentship will be supervised by Dr Vasil Pirgozliev and Dr Paul Rose.

Applications should be made through the HAU website: https://jobs.harper-adams.ac.uk/ where further details of the project can also be found.

Further information can be found on the HAU website at www.harper-adams.ac.uk and on the research training provided and PhD progression requirements in the Postgraduate Research Students Handbook at:
http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/documents/MPhil-PhD-Handbook.pdf

For informal enquiries on general aspects of research degrees at HAU, applicants may contact Mrs Viv Slann, Research Students Administrator ([Email Address Removed]). For informal enquiries on the project, applicants may contact the supervisors named above through the Staff Directory http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/general/staff/