We are offering a PhD fellowship on relative abundance, diversity and virulence of Escherichia coli in animal enteric disease commencing on 1st May 2025 or after agreement. This PhD project aims to investigate the role of Escherichia coli diversity and its relationship with gut microbiota disturbances in enteric diseases of young piglets and calves.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Enterotoxin-producing E. coli (ETEC) has traditionally been considered as one of the primary causes of enteritis in young piglets and calves, but recent studies reveal an inconsistent correlation with diarrhoea, suggesting additional factors contribute to disease onset. This PhD project will investigate the role of E. coli in gut microbiota disturbances (dysbiosis) using faecal and intestinal samples from diseased and healthy animals. Leveraging advanced metagenomic techniques, the research aims to characterize abundance, diversity, and virulence of E. coli lineages and their interplay with the gut microbiota during the development of enteric disease. This will provide new insights into disease aetiology and mechanisms, advancing diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of this important disease in veterinary medicine.
Principal supervisor is Luca Guardabassi, Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, E-mail:
lg@sund.ku.dk

JOB DESCRIPTION

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
• Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
• Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your projec