At the Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology a position is available for a PhD student.

Research at the Division Clinical Infectiology (KLIF) focuses on emergence of antimicrobial resistances that have become a threat for veterinary and public health. An ongoing key research theme is the emergence of multidrug-resistant Staphylococci. As a PhD student you will be working on the ZonMw financed project MRSA-PREVENT on control of MRSA in the pig nasal microbiome to prevent transmission to humans. Using metagenomics and state of the art bioinformatics you will identify commensal bacteria that are negatively associated with Staphylococcus aureus in the pig nose. The interaction of these commensal species with Staphyloccus aureus will be studied in detail in order to define and produce a cocktail of commensal bacteria that will protect the pig nose from colonization with MRSA. Proof of concept will be shown using ex vivo tissue cultures, in vivo animal models, and finally in a comprehensive field trial. This project is a collaboration with Irish and German scientists and there will be opportunities to work at the labs of the international partners. KLIF offers an international and stimulating work environment at the forefront of scientific research. As a PhD student you will actively participate in the Infection and Immunity PhD programme and scientific meetings and will publish the findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. These papers will form the basis of the PhD thesis of the candidate.

- Academic degree in Life Sciences or Veterinary Sciences/Medicine;

- Skills in molecular microbiology with interest in bioinformatics;

- Good social and communicative skills;

- Good command of English (oral and written);

- Motivated to collaborate (internationally) with scientists in academia, research institutes and industry.

The gross monthly starts at €2,222 and increases to €2,840 (i.e. salary scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8,3%.

Utrecht University offers excellent secondary benefits including collective insurance schemes, an excellent pension scheme and flexible employment conditions. For more information: Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students.