PhD Student Vacancy: EastBio – Furthering sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes and anthelmintic resistance in sheep flocks through mathematical modelling

Job title:

PhD Student Vacancy: EastBio – Furthering sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes and anthelmintic resistance in sheep flocks through mathematical modelling

Company

The James Hutton Institute

Job description

Gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) infections have serious negative consequences on the health and welfare of livestock worldwide and threaten the economic viability of livestock production. Infection also increases peak methane yield in parasitised lambs, making crucial greenhouse gas emissions targets even harder to reach. The ongoing impacts of climate change are only expected to exacerbate these challenges. Anthelmintics are widely used to control GIN populations in livestock; however, parasite populations are increasingly developing resistance to treatments. Further, anthelmintics have negative environmental impacts on soil health and water quality and harm non-target invertebrates. Currently, GIN control is achieved by anthelmintic use at flock level, but regular whole-flock treatment may select strongly for resistance. A range of sustainable parasite control measures have been suggested but uptake has been limited. This project will explore how the benefits of sustainable approaches on control can be better understood and communicated to facilitate behaviour change.This proposal will extend upon existing mathematical models of GIN transmission on sheep farms to improve our understanding of how novel control strategies will influence the development of anthelmintic resistance over time. The student will further develop individual-based climate-driven state-dependent delay-differential equation models by explicitly incorporating resistant populations of nematodes and exploring how the dynamics of susceptible and resistant nematode populations develop over time under different farm management practices. The model will be validated against existing field study datasets. Finally, the student will explore appropriate statistical methodologies and visualization tools by which the results of the model can be communicated to farmers, veterinarians and other stakeholders and used as a tool to facilitate increased uptake of the management recommendations.The student will be integrated with the mathematical modelling group at BioSS and will be able to attend regular meetings and seminars, as well as having access to a range of statistics training courses. BioSS has extensive experience in both mathematical and statistical modelling applied to animal health and welfare that the student will benefit from. MRI has extensive experience in research and application of practical and sustainable control strategies for helminth parasites of livestock and the student will have the opportunity to visit the lab and field sites and gain experience and understanding of the data collection process. Both MRI and Edinburgh have close relationships with the farming community, supervisors actively engage in KE at local and national events and the student would be encouraged to participate.The EastBio partnership offers fully-funded competition based studentships. Funding covers Home (UK fees), a stipend at UKRI norm level (£19,327 for 2024/2025) and project costs. Application guidance can be found on the Eastbio website; . Information on UKRI-BBSRC can be found on the UKRI websiteWe will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Bronze Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.

Expected salary

£19237 per year

Location

Dundee

Job date

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 07:11:06 GMT

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