PhD Position: One Health Research on Zoonotic Pathogens in Air at Poultry Farms

Intensive livestock farms are hotspots for zoonotic pathogens, posing risks to both human and animal health worldwide. To enhance disease prevention and control, it is essential to uncover airborne spread of zoonotic bacteria and viruses between livestock farms and their surroundings. Therefore we need to advance technologies in air sampling approaches, which will enable broad screening of microorganisms as well as targeted detection of specific zoonotic pathogens of concern. Does this sound interesting to you and do you have affinity with One Health? Join our multidisciplinary team.

Your job
Using a One Health approach, you will be developing and implementing technological innovations to uncover insights into airborne introduction, circulation and emission of zoonotic pathogens. To improve air sampling, you will work in close collaboration with the poultry husbandry industry to incorporate air sampling technology in ventilation systems. To advance analyses of air samples, you will become part of our team working on novel analysis approaches by extending molecular techniques beyond pathogen-specific genetic material to include screening for host DNA. You will be involved in sampling programmes implementing these innovations at conventional poultry farms. Ultimately, you will be working towards a broad One Health risk assessment for airborne pathogens overall and with specific focus on high priority pathogens including Avian Influenza-virus and Campylobacter jejuni.

As the ideal candidate, you have a Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Veterinary Medicine, One Health, Veterinary Sciences, Health and Environment, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related life sciences discipline. You have affinity with zoonoses, environmental sampling, advanced statistics and are familiar with livestock production. This, combined with strong communication skills, enthusiasm, and creativity, will make you a good fit with our collaborative and dynamic research team.

Specific skills that make you successful in this position:

• a creative mindset and technical understanding/insight;
• practical experience with sample collection and/or in the lab;
• equipped in advanced statistical methodologies and proficient in R;
• a background/hands-on experience with microbiological and molecular biology methods;
• fluent in English (written and oral); proficiency in Dutch is a plus;
• a driving licence.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 36 to 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit 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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine we train the veterinarians and researchers of the future, provide care for animals and conduct leading and societal relevant research. That is what we are good at. We see that the health and welfare of animals, humans and the environment are interconnected. By sharing our knowledge and working together, we make positive impact, both nationally and internationally. Our 1,500 students and 950 staff members inspire and strengthen each other. Our engagement connects us. The drive to, from an integral perspective, make the world a better place.

The Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) is an interfaculty research institute (collaboration of the faculties of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Science) at Utrecht University. The IRAS’ mission is to provide education and conduct research in the field of health risks posed to humans by exposure to pathogens and possible hazardous substances in the environment, at work or in the food chain. The institute also studies the effects on ecosystems and is located at the Utrecht Science Park, near the historical city centre of Utrecht.