Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship commencing 1 July 2011 or soon thereafter. The application deadline is 25 February 2011.
Project description
Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens is a global problem which threatens the health and welfare of both humans and animals. Carefully designed treatment protocols have the potential to reduce the rate of development of resistance. The goal of this project is to use theory developed using mathematical modelling in human medicine to formulate alternative treatment-protocols for antibiotic use against intestinal diseases in pigs.
This project is part of a wider consortium combining experimental and field trials with mathematical and statistical analysis: MINIRESIST, Minimizing antibiotic resistance development. Data from the experimental and field work will be used in the development and parameterisation of a mathematical model that predicts the development and spread of resistance in intensive pig production and the load of resistant bacteria at the time of slaughter as a function of treatment protocol. The mathematical modelling will be used to design treatment protocols which will be evaluated under field and experimental conditions with regard to the development of resistance and the efficacy of treatment.
Using the mathematical model will allow the systematic exploration of the development of resistance under a wide range of treatment protocols that would be impractical to test experimentally. The modelling results will be used to formulate scenario-specific treatment protocols that result in the minimal occurrence of resistant bacteria.
The successful applicant will be part of the MINIRESIST consortium team. We seek applications from individuals with an interest in developing quantitative approaches to biological problems who have either a biological or mathematical/computing science background. The successful applicant will be employed at Department of Large Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, but should also plan a research stay at Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow as well as collaboration with Department of Informatics and Mathematical Modelling, Technical University of Denmark.
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at LIFE are: - - - -Manage and carry through your research project
- Take PhD courses
- Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
- Participate in international congresses
- Stay at a research institution abroad for a few months
- Teach and disseminate your research
Key criteria for the assessment of candidates
- A masters degree related to the subject area of the project, i.e. veterinary medicine, statistics, mathematics or related sciences
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme, i.e. experience with statistical analyses of biological processes
- Previous publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other professional activities
- Language skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Marks obtained during the first year of study on the master programme (only relevant for applicants applying for a 4-year scholarship)
Terms of employment
The position will be filled according to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The post is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
