Background:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an
increasing problem in both veterinary and human medicine that has developed as
a consequence of antimicrobial (AM) use. It is of particular importance in the
pig industry, which uses a high proportion of all veterinary AMs sold in EU
countries and prophylactic medication of large numbers of animals is
routine. The proposed research will examine the
problem of AM resistance and high usage of AM in the Irish pig industry from a
holistic perspective. While building on
previous studies which investigated AM usage and resistance in pathogenic and
indicator organisms, it will also examine other complex factors which are
associated with, and drive, AM usage.
These will include identification of management practices which underlie
high usage and investigation of the relationship between these practices and
welfare problems on-farm. Expected
outcomes will be the identification of changes in management which can
simultaneously reduce AM usage and improve pig health and welfare. The project will also provide information on
levels of resistance to the critically important AM agents and associations
between resistance, AM usage, management practices and welfare on farms.
Requirements: Applicants
should have an Honours degree (1H or 2H1) or a Masters in Animal Science,
Veterinary Science or other relevant discipline. A full driving licence is
essential. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct field work on
commercial pig farms as well as working in the laboratory.
Award: The PhD Fellowship
is a joint research project between Teagasc and University College Dublin. There will also be involvement with the University of Westminster in London, UK on social
science aspects of the project. The
student will be based at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and
Innovation Centre at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork and will be registered at UCD.
The student may be required to undertake periods of laboratory work at UCD or
other locations if deemed necessary during the project. The fellowship provides
a stipend of €22,000 per annum. College fees are paid by the student from the
stipend.
Application
Procedure:
Submit an electronic copy of a Curriculum Vitae (to include the names and
contact details of two referees) and a cover letter simultaneously to:
·
Dr Laura Boyle, Pig Research Centre,
Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, email:
Laura.Boyle@teagasc.ie
·
Dr Nola Leonard, Veterinary Sciences Centre,
UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4, email: nola.leonard@ucd.ie
Closing date: 31st January
2014