PhD student in veterinary medicine, Virology

Department of Biomedical Sciences and veterinary public health

The Department of Biomedical Sciences and veterinary public health belongs to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, and is responsible for teaching, research and PhD education in Pathology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Immunology, Virology, Bacteriology, Food-Safety, Parasitology and Epizootology.

Identification and characterization of diarrhoeal pathogens in ruminants in Ethiopia

PhD student in veterinary medicine, Virology

Description:

Ethiopia is a sub-Saharan country inhabited by approximately 100 million people with frequent occurrence of draughts. The country is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa, which contribute immensely to the national economy and food security. However, there are many challenges, among which a number of important diseases of ruminants that reduce their productivity are of paramount importance. Diarrhoea is a leading health problem of ruminants, especially the young stock, causing huge economic loss and affecting food safety and security. The overall purpose of this project is to determine which infectious agents circulate in ruminants suffering from diarrhoea in Ethiopia with the ultimate goal to be able to propose suitable counter measures to prevent diarrhoea in young ruminant.  This will improve animal health and as a consequence lead to more food and improve human health, both directly and indirectly, and economy. This is a collaborative project between SLU and Addis Ababa University (AAU), and requires occasional periods of work and studies in Ethiopia, if the political situation allows this. The work involves being the main responsible for collecting samples from ruminants in Ethiopia. This will be done together with local veterinarians and students. In addition the project includes laborative sample analysis at AAU, as well as at VHC Uppsala. The analysis to determine which infectious agents are the cause or diarrhoea will include e.g. metagenomics, PCR and ELISA as well as epidemiological tools.     

Qualifications:

The candidate must have the overall general qualifications for entering PhD studies (see below). MSc degree in Veterinary Medicine is highly suitable but also those with a master degree in Animal Science/Biology or a similar are welcome to apply. Experience of field-work in Africa, or in another low-income region, such as a Minor Field Study, is a merit. Some experience of laborative work and knowledge in bioinformatics or epidemiology is also a merit. Furthermore, great emphasis is put on personal skills and suitability such as e.g. ability to work in a structured manor, outward personality, ability to work independently as well as in a team. A documented skill to communicate both in written and oral English is a must. Degree project and other possible publications for documentation of merits shall be supplemented. The recruitment will partly be based on the motivation on why the applicant applied for this position.  

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 2022-03-04

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 

Contact person

Mikael Berg

Professor

018-67 27 84 (only on prior agreement via mail)

mikael.berg@slu.se