A 4 year fully funded BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship is available in mathematical modelling / data analysis:

Studentship title: Should we aim for genetic improvement of host resistance or tolerance to infectious disease?

Supervisors: Dr. Andrea Doeschl-Wilson (Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh), Prof. Ilias Kyriazakis (Newcastle University), Dr. Beatriz Villanueva (INIA, Spain) and Dr. Selma Forni (Genus)

Project Summary:
Recent advances in genetics suggest that animals differ genetically in their response to infectious pathogens. This would facilitate the development of genetic control strategies for reducing disease in livestock.  There are two alternative defence mechanisms of animals that could be enhanced by genetic selection:  improvement of host resistance vs improvement of host tolerance. Resistance refers to mechanisms that restrict the reproduction rate of a pathogen within a host whilst tolerance refers to mechanisms that minimise the damage that pathogens inflict on the host. 
The overall aim of this project is to address the feasibility and implications of improving either or both defence strategies and to determine under what conditions improvement of disease resistance is favourable over improvement for tolerance, and vice versa. Our approach will consist of a combination of quantitative genetic analyses of infection and performance data in pigs and mathematical modelling of infection dynamics in genetically diverse populations. The project is in close collaboration with Genus, a world leader in pig breeding. The insights generated by this project will thus not only advance science but help animal breeders to make informed decisions to maintain healthy livestock populations and guarantee food security.

Research environment and training:
The successful candidate will be part of the multi-disciplinary team at the Genetics and Genomics Division of the Roslin Institute, consisting of mathematicians, geneticists and epidemiologists and will receive training in mathematical modelling, quantitative genetics and relevant epidemiological and statistical methodologies.  The Roslin Institute also offers a generous travel budget for postgraduate students to attend national and international meetings, as well as a wide range of generic skills training. As students are registered at the School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS), University of Edinburgh, the student will benefit from the wide range of transkills courses provided by the University of Edinburgh. The student will also have regular meetings and potential short-term visits to Newcastle University and to INIA, Madrid, where the external supervisors Prof. Ilias Kyriazakis and Dr. Beatriz Villanueva are based. 
Being funded as Industrial CASE studentship by BBSRC, the project entails close collaboration between the academic and the industrial partners.  The industry partner Genus is a world leader in animal breeding and thus not only offers scientific guidance but also training in business and project management skills. The studentship includes a 6-18 months placement at the industrial partner (with all costs fully covered). This way, the student will not only carry out cutting-edge research, but will also be involved in implementing the research findings into practice and gain important insight into business practices. 

Eligibility: 
All candidates should have or expect to have a minimum of an upper 2nd class degree in an appropriate subject (e.g. mathematics, statistics, quantitative genetics, theoretical physics, epidemiology, animal science) and have good computer skills. Experience or an interest in mathematical modeling and computer programming, as well as in scientific writing would be desirable.
To qualify for funding students must be UK or EU citizens who have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to commencement.
Further information can be obtained from Dr Andrea Doeschl-Wilson ([log in to unmask])
Application Procedure:
Applications including a  cover letter that outlines reasons for suitability, together with a full CV with names and addresses (including email addresses) of two academic referees, should be emailed to [log in to unmask] and [log in to unmask]
The closing date for applications to this studentship is 11th  June 2012.

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Andrea (Doeschl) Wilson
Genetics & Genomics
The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS
Easter Bush
Midlothian
EH25 9RG
Phone: +44 (0)131 651 9224



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