PhD student for 4 years. Biomedical science specialization bacteriology

Department of Biomedical Sciences and veterinary public health

A position as PhD student is declared vacant in the area of biomedical sciences, with focus on bacteriology, at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. BVF is part of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences and is responsible for under graduate training, research and post-graduate training in the areas of bacteriology, immunology, parasitology, pathology, pharmacology, toxicology, veterinary public health and virology.

Development of diagnostic tests for hoof diseases in ruminants

Contagious interdigital infection in the cleft palate of cattle so-called digital dermatitis (DD) and footrot/contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) in sheep cause extensive damage to the hooves of affected animals and is very painful. The essential causative agent for footrot is Dichelobacter nodosus but the causes of DD and CODD have not yet been fully identified. There is currently no laboratory diagnosis for DD and CODD, the diagnosis is made clinically by a veterinarian or in connection with trimming of the hooves. However, for footrot, there are PCR diagnostics that confirm the presence of D. nodosus from the lesions in the hooves. Increased studies of the spread and occurrence of DD, footrot/CODD are necessary to gather important knowledge to be able to prevent and treat these diseases in cattle and sheep.

Description:

Do you want to contribute to improve the health of cattle and sheep? In that case, this can be the opportunity. The research project aims to develop new diagnostics that would make it possible to monitor and control the hoof diseases and prevent the spread of infection.

We are searching for a highly motivated PhD-student interested in the research area of biomedical sciences with focus on bacteriology. The overall purpose of this project is to develop tests (ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for diagnosing the hoof diseases infectious hoof disease (digital dermatitis, DD) on dairy cows and foot rot / CODD on sheep. Both diseases cause sores on the hooves and lameness in the animals, which means reduced welfare for the animals and financial losses for the animal owners. New diagnostic tools would make it possible, among other things, to monitor the diseases and prevent the spread of infection.

Qualifications:

Suitable background for the position is veterinarian, agronomist, microbiologist or equivalent may come into question. We are looking for a person with a Master of Science and good knowledge of communicating in English in speech and writing. Particular emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and abilities as a team player as well as an ability to take initiatives and work independently.  

Place:

Uppsala

Form of employment:

Employment as a doctoral student for 4 years

Starting date:

As agreed

Application:

Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2022-08-15.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/


The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world. 

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se