PhD Studentship - Behavioural Signatures of Parasitism
Applications
are sought for candidates with backgrounds in Ecology or Animal
Behaviour with strong fieldwork skills and an interest in quantitative
approaches, for the above PhD position jointly offered by the University
of Edinburgh, SRUC and (BioSS). Applicants should have a 2:1
degree or higher in a biological subject e.g. Ecology or Zoology.
Applicants with a 2:2 degree may be considered if they have a Masters
degree in a relevant subject.
Pathogen-induced
changes in animal behaviour are seen in both natural and livestock
systems. However, the contribution of behaviour to parasite control has
not been explored. In agricultural systems, gastrointestinal (GI)
parasitism in grazing livestock is inevitable and production losses are
incurred before clinical signs are apparent to the farmer. There are
also environmental impacts of parasitism with low production efficiency
resulting in greater greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of meat
produced. A further challenge is that of anthelmintic resistance of GI
parasites, which is rapidly escalating on a worldwide scale.
Identification of individuals within a herd or a flock that require
treatment at an early stage would reduce these impacts.
This
project will investigate the impact of parasitism of social group
dynamics and explore the feasibility of using changes in host behaviour
as an early indicator of parasitism. Using livestock, the project will
characterise and quantify the effects of parasitism on individual and
group behaviours via both controlled field experimentation and field
observation. Behavioural data will be collected using remote monitoring
techniques (proximity loggers and activity monitors), and analysed using
statistical techniques such as social network analysis. The project
will also explore the potential for developing algorithms to identify
infected individuals within a group.
The stipend for this 3.5 year studentship is £14,553 pa, with an anticipated start date of 1st
October 2017. The successful applicant will be based at SRUC, Easter
Bush (on the outskirts of Edinburgh) and registered for a PhD at the
University of Edinburgh. The successful candidate will be expected to
make frequent visits to all partner institutions. This studentship is
funded to pay the tuition fees of UK/EU nationals only. Non UK/EU
nationals must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover the higher
international student tuition fee level (approximately £14,900 per year
would be required). To discuss the position informally, potential
candidates are invited to contact Dr Lesley Smith (lesley.smith@sruc.ac.uk)
SRUC,
Scotland’s Rural College, delivers comprehensive skills, education and
business support for Scotland’s land-based industry founded on world
class, sector leading research, education and consultancy. SRUC’s joint
submission with the University of Edinburgh to the Agriculture,
Veterinary and Food Science subpanel of the Research Excellence
Framework (REF2014) ranks top in the UK on research power.
Online applications can be submitted via our website www.sruc.ac.uk/jobs Applicants who are unable to access the online system can request an application pack from audrey.johnstone@sruc.ac.uk Tel 0131 535 4028 quoting reference SRUC/1031360/Hutchings.
CV’s are not accepted without a completed application form. If English
is not an applicant’s first language, an approved English language
certificate may be required – see further particulars for more details.
The closing date for the return of applications is 5pm on 10th March 2017.