RVC Supervisor(s): Dr Sara Healy, Professor Damer Blake

Lead RVC Supervisor: Dr Sara Healy

Co-supervisor: Prof Damer Blake, 

External Co-supervisor: Prof Hany Elsheikha, University of Nottingham

Department: Pathobiology and Population Sciences 

Background, aims and objectives:

This fully funded PhD studentship provides an exciting opportunity to work on an innovative and multi-disciplinary project.

Toxocara canis is a common zoonotic roundworm of dogs and foxes. Infected animals shed eggs in faeces that remain viable for extended periods, posing a risk to humans through contaminated soil, food, or water. Human toxocariasis can lead to severe outcomes including blindness, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment. In the UK, around a quarter of adults own a dog, yet many of these animals are not dewormed at recommended intervals. Recent guidance from key UK veterinary organisations promotes risk-based antiparasitic prescribing to reduce environmental toxicity and resistance pressures; however, this approach requires accurate epidemiology data, which are currently lacking for Toxocara. 

The key data gaps which will be explored in the PhD include nationwide canine Toxocara prevalence estimates, egg shedding by adult animals, the true frequency of vertical transmission, and the role of raw meat-based diets in transmission. This project will provide the first comprehensive assessment of Toxocara transmission dynamics in UK dogs, informing risk-based parasite control, supporting evidence-led anthelmintic prescribing, and helping toreduce human exposure to this zoonotic pathogen

References

1. Ma G, Holland C V, Wang T, Hofmann A, Fan C-K, Maizels RM, et al. Human toxocariasis. Lancet Infect Dis. (2018) 18:e14–24. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30331-6 
2. Colombo, M. et al. (2022). Comparison of different copromicroscopic techniques in the diagnosis of intestinal and respiratory parasites of naturally infected dogs and cats. Animals; 12(19): 2584. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192584 
3. Kaneva, Eleonora & Tsvetkova, Nina & Rainova, Iskra. (2020). Application of PCR method for detection and species identification of Toxocara spp. Problems of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. 48: 26-30. https://doi.org/10.58395/pipd.v48i3.46.

Requirements

Essential:

• A degree in veterinary science, biology, microbiology, parasitology, zoology, public health, or a related life-science discipline.
• Foundational knowledge of parasitology, infectious diseases, or epidemiology.
• Ability to handle and process biological samples, such as raw meat and faeces, accurately and safely. 
• Basic competence in data management and statistical analysis
• Ability to plan, organise, and execute research tasks independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Willingness to undertake fieldwork and liaison with stakeholders (e.g. breeders, vet practices, animal shelters)

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in a related discipline
• Experience with laboratory techniques such as microscopy, DNA extraction, and PCR-based diagnostics 
• Experience with parasitological diagnostic methods such as FLOTAC, flotation, or molecular confirmation techniques
• Experience working with animal owners, veterinary practices, or wildlife sampling

Fees and Funding

This is a 3-year fully-funded studentship, funded by RVC and ESCCAP UK & Ireland. This funding covers 'Home' rate tuition fees and a stipend (stipend in line with UKRI requirements, approximately £22780 per year for non-vets, amount is subject to change). Additional grants and bursaries are also offered by the RVC, subject to eligibility. 

The studentship will commence in October 2026 at the RVC's Camden campus.

This studentship is open to applicants eligible for "Home" fees. International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "Home" and "Overseas" tuition fees. 

EU/EEA and Swiss national students starting studies in the 2021/22 academic year or later academic years may no longer be eligible to pay the “home” rate of tuition fees nor claim any financial support for their studies dependent on your personal circumstances (including immigration status and residence history in the UK). To help determine whether you would be eligible for home fees please see the UKCISA's 'Who pays 'home' fees for higher education in England?' guide found here.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please follow the link below.  Please use your personal statement to demonstrate any previous skills or experience you have in relation to the essential and desirable requirements listed 

How to Apply

For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply.

Interviews will take place in person at our Hawkshead or Camden Campus (TBC) in June 2026 

We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Dr Sara Healy, (shealy@rvc.ac.uk)

Deadline: 01/04/2026