[Denmark] Phd Posistion in Veterinary Epidemiology and Virology at Technical University of Denmark

A 3 year PhD position in veterinary epidemiology and virology is available at the National Veterinary Institute (DTU).

The successful candidate will be placed at the National Veterinary Institute, Copenhagen, to work in the Section for Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Sector Consultancy, and will work for about 1 year at the Division of Virology, Lindholm Island between Moen and Zealand (near Kalvehave). The project is conducted in collaboration with the Danish Cattle Federation.

Job description
The overall aim of the PhD project is to optimize the surveillance of serious infections in cattle taking the structural development of the Danish cattle industry into account, leading to fewer but larger herds. This is to be done by 1) making effective use of existing data on health and production parameters on the animal and herd level to allow a risk based surveillance approach and 2) by increasing the sensitivity of the surveillance system by validating and improving the diagnostic procedures for screening of pooled bulk milk samples and 3) optimizing the performance of the surveillance program to ensure that it is focused on high risk animals/herds, can be used for early warning and is cost/effective. Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is used in the project as an example. BVD has been eradicated in the Danish cattle population during the last 15 years. The present surveillance system is based on bulk-milk-analysis which was validated using considerably smaller herds with a higher percentage of antibody positive lactating cows. The present situation where only a few cows may have antibodies need new considerations of how to collect samples and how to analyse them to have a cost effective and sensitive system.



Qualifications
Applicants with the following qualifications are preferred:

A master`s degree in either veterinary medicine, biology or a comparable discipline or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master`s degree
Experience in epidemiology and/or virology
An interest in cattle management and diagnostics
Fluency in English
Good social skills, innovative and interested in communicating research results
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval and the candidates will be enrolled in the Life Science PhD programme of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship study, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

Important notice
Due to work with virus diseases not occurring in Denmark (OIE (former) list A diseases) at the Division of Virology (Lindholm) the employee is not allowed to have or get in contact with cloven-hoofed animals during the stay at Lindholm. More detailed information on these restrictions may be obtained from The National Veterinary Institute.

Further information
For further information please contact senior scientist Claes Enøe phone +45 3588 6127 or Åse Uttenthal, phone +45 3588 7993.

Application
We must have your online application by 15 March 2010. Please open the link `apply for this job online` and fill in the application form and attach:

A motivation describing why you are interested in this position
A CV including publications
Copy of certificate with grades
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Website link:
http://www.dtu.dk/English/About_DTU/vacancies.aspx?guid=5c262ab1-7e14-4d5f-a217-ed21cfdd1eff