PhD Scholarship: Food Microbiology - Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat food products and interaction with the food microbiome

This 4 year PhD project is hosted by the University of Limerick, Department of Biological Sciences. The project is part of a larger Listeria Challenge consortium with partners from Teagasc, UCD, UCC, NUIG and UL. The project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Background: L. monocytogenes is a problem for public health as incidences of listeriosis continue to rise, and is an industry problem as presence of L. monocytogenes will lead to product recalls. L. monocytogenes is resistant to a range of preservatives and processes used to control bacterial growth in food. It commonly cross-contaminates food from environmental reservoirs and can survive and grow in foods even at cold storage temperatures.

Science: In this project, challenge studies of L. monocytogenes in foods will be undertaken using the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) challenge study guidelines in parallel with protocols where changes in temperature, pre-growth of the inoculum, inoculum size and inoculation method will be made. Changes in the food microbiome during shelf-life time-courses will be investigated to identify whether growth of Listeria can be manipulated through the presence or absence of food microbiome members. The foods tested, from Irish food processing environments, have previously shown high levels of L. monocytogenes or shown to support growth of L. monocytogenes.

Essential Criteria
BSc (Level 8 NFQ first or second honours) or equivalent or completed a level 8 degree (first or second honours) before the start date in Food Science/Microbiology, Biological/Life Sciences, Environmental/Agricultural Sciences or a related field.
Experience at undergraduate level in microbiological techniques, general or environmental chemistry, agricultural or biological or food sciences.

Desirable Criteria - Research
Assists the research leader and team members to conduct research as set out in the grant proposal.
Will conduct literature and database searches and interpret and present the findings of the literature searches.
Is capable of following experimental protocols and can modify protocols or is able to develop new protocols.
Has experience in microbiological techniques such as media preparation, aseptic handling or working with pure cultures.
Has experience in general or food chemistry and analytics.
Is capable to analyse and interpret results of own research with the support of the supervisor.
Is able to learn new techniques and procedures in molecular biology and related subjects under supervision.
Has knowledge in food processing or food preservation.
Has practical skills in extractions of DNA from soil or microorganisms.
Has knowledge in PCR applications and DNA analysis.
Is experienced in cultivation of bacteria using general or selective media.

Desirable Criteria - Management
Is able to work and interact with multiple stakeholders in a research consortium.
Able to plan and manage own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed project (maintain work plan and lab-book, meet agreed schedules for research).
Conducts analysis and interpretation of results of own research.
Keep appropriate records as directed and in line with Funder/University policy.

Weblink to the PI’s Researchgate profile: www.researchgate.net/profile/Achim_Schmalenberger