Posted April 28, 2011

The Project:
The Prairie Swine Centre currently has an opening for graduate studies at the M.Sc. level. This is a unique, interdisciplinary opportunity examining the interactions between nutrition and bone development in the lactating sow. This project will appeal to students who are interested in animal nutrition and lactation or in human nutrition and bone development; using the pig as a model.

Qualifications:
Successful applicants will have a B.Sc. in animal science, nutrition, physiology, kinesiology or a related discipline. Students at the Prairie Swine Centre are enrolled in the College of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Saskatchewan. They need strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, and have the intent to work as a member of a research team.

Stipend: Competitive financial assistance is available in the form of a stipend (Graduate Research Assistantship).

How to Apply:
nterested applicants should contact Dr. Denise Beaulieu, Prairie Swine Centre Inc. (306) 667-7441; denise.beaulieu@usask.ca or Dr.Saija Kontulainen, (306) 966-1077; saija.kontulainen@usask.ca

Other Information:
The Prairie Swine Centre operates a 280 sow farrow-to-finish commercial research herd with extensive surgery, metabolism and intensive research facilities. New sow farrowing and gestation facilities were recently opened. The nutrition research program is part of a broader research program at the Centre that also includes engineering and applied ethology (behaviour).

The student will also have access to the laboratories and expertise of Dr. Saija Kontulainen, College of Kinesiology and members of the Bone Imaging Research Group at the University of Saskatchewan. Laboratories at Kinesiology are equipped with two pQCT, DXA and ultrasound scanners for imaging musculoskeletal properties and body composition.