Snabbfakta
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- Dundee
Ansök senast: 2025-03-04
PhD Student Vacancy: EastBio - Impact of the soil ecosystem on gastrointestinal nematodes of grazing sheep
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasites of sheep have a profound impact on animal health and welfare and the sustainability of the industry. The spread of resistance to anthelmintic drugs means that alternative control measures are needed, including breeding, enhanced nutrition and environmental management.
GIN are directly transmitted parasites and larval development on pasture is influenced by abiotic factors including temperature and moisture. Limited research shows that they also depend on interactions with soil biota, including dung beetles, nematophagous fungi, and antagonistic microorganisms. Sheep also ingest soil during grazing, pointing to possible interactions between soil microorganisms and those inhabiting the sheep GI tract. There is, however, still a lack of knowledge on how the soil ecosystem, including microorganisms, invertebrates, plants and fungi, influences interactions between sheep and GIN.
This PhD project will explore how the soil ecosystem influences GIN larvae on pasture, and ultimately the infection experienced by sheep. The project will include analysis of the diversity of microbe, plant and invertebrate species found on sheep farms while also considering soil texture and pH. Parasitological techniques will examine parasite load, and DNA sequencing will examine GIN and host microbiota species composition. Sampling will take place in the context of long-term grazing experiments at the Moredun and James Hutton Institute, where intensive sampling will be conducted, as well as on commercial farms including lowland and upland farms implementing a variety of grazing management strategies. Additionally, the student could use experimental microcosms to explore the mechanisms of associations.
The student will address questions including:
1. How do different components of the soil ecosystem vary among farms and types of grazing management?
2. What aspects of the soil ecosystem drive the abundance of GIN larvae on pasture and sheep parasite burden?
3. How do the gut microbiota of sheep and the soil microbiota interact?
These questions are representative, and the student would have scope to drive the project in their direction of interest.
This project intersects the boundaries of parasite biology, microbial ecology and soil ecology, and the student will work with three internationally renowned research organisations. The student will gain training in animal sampling techniques including the opportunity to gain a Home Office Personal License. Skills training will include applied parasitology, entomology, molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics, statistical modelling and stakeholder/policy engagement. All research organisations have close relationships with the farming community and the student would engage in Knowledge Exchange.
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; How to Apply ¦ Biology. Information on UKRI-BBSRC can be found on the UKRI website UKRI – UK Research and Innovation
