Published: 25 Jan 2019 | Last Updated: 25 Jan 2019 09:33:07

We have four exciting PhD opportunities available to start in October 2019. The deadline for applications in 10th February 2019.

Antimicrobial usage in farm animal veterinary practice in the UK: A mixed methods approach

RVC Supervisor(s): Professor David Brodbelt
RVC Collaborators: Dr Richard Booth, Dr Lucy Brunton, Mr Noel Kennedy, Dr Ana Mateus, and Dr Dan O’Neill
Non-RVC co-supervisor: Dr Alec Fraser (LSHTM)

This proposed study aims to use the VetCompass approach to develop data collection from farm animal species and to describe antimicrobial usage in farm animal practice. It will explore the main indications and risk factors for antimicrobial usage in the UK using a mixed methods approach.

For more details and to apply: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/phd/studentships/Antimicrobial_usage_in_farm_animal_veterinary_practice

Assessing the economic efficiency of strategies to optimize antimicrobial usage in pig farms

RVC Supervisor(s): Dr Pablo Alarcon-Lopez, Dr Steven Van Winden
Non-RVC co-supervisor: Dr Mandy Nevel (AHDB)

The aim of the PhD project is to identify the most economically efficient strategies to optimise antimicrobial usage on pig farms in the United Kingdom.

For more details and to apply: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/phd/studentships/Assessing_the_economic_efficiency_of_strategies_to_optimize_antimicrobial_usage_in_pig_farms

Can better governance reduce antimicrobial usage? An assessment of Vietnamese aquaculture systems

RVC Supervisor(s): Dr Lucy Brunton, Dr Barbara Haesler
Non-RVC co-supervisor: Dr Barbara Wieland (ILRI)

This project aims to assess the impact on antimicrobial usage (AMU) of current public and private policies and initiatives such as, private sector requirements, regulations and current surveillance systems; and economic and social factors that influence producers’ behaviours in relation to AMU. Further, it aims to produce a systems dynamic model to assist the development of effective AMR interventions in aquaculture.

For more details and to apply: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/phd/studentships/Vietnamese_aquaculture_systems

Improving animal health surveillance through better engagement between farmers, vets and government

RVC Supervisor(s): Dr Julian Drewe, Dr Jackie Cardwell
Non-RVC co-supervisor: Dr Richard Smith (APHA), Dr Philip Jones (APHA), Dr Elisa Lewis, (LSBU)

The aim of this project is to identify the main drivers and barriers affecting the engagement of famers and vets in animal health surveillance in GB, and to investigate whether interventions focusing on these drivers and barriers may be effective at improving surveillance for new and re-emerging threats.

For more details and to apply: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/phd/studentships/Improving_animal_health_surveillance